In her position coordinating programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, Corine Ryan, of the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, knows firsthand the ravages of the fatal illness. “I see it every day with the people I work with,’’ Ryan said Wednesday. Ryan said she wanted to do something to help raise awareness about the disease and...
In her position coordinating programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, Corine Ryan, of the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, knows firsthand the ravages of the fatal illness.
“I see it every day with the people I work with,’’ Ryan said Wednesday.
Ryan said she wanted to do something to help raise awareness about the disease and foster more support for those who care for people with Alzheimer’s. She came up with the idea to sponsor the first Cayuga County Walk for Memory from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Emerson Park.
“We want to remind people that the disease is out there and that people you’re your help,’’ Ryan said.
The county Office for the Aging and the Cayuga County Council for Senior Citizens are co-sponsoring the event, which they hope will become an annual benefit.
There are about 15,000 county residents over 60 and some 2,200 of them have Alzheimer’s, according to Nancy Siefka, director of the county Office for the Aging. Those numbers are expected to increase significantly in a couple years, Siefka added.
Proceeds from the walk, Siefka said, will be used for respite and caregiver programs and to buy more “Project Lifesaver’’ wristbands, which help authorities find people with Alzheimer’s who are lost. The wristbands emit radio signals that can be tracked.
It costs $15 to participate in the walk and participants will receive a T-shirt, lunch and a bracelet. Donations, in lieu of walking, can be made to the county Council of Senior Citizens.
“This is a great way for people to come together and to recognize the caregivers’’ Siefka said.
For Ryan, the disease has taken a personal toll as well. An aunt has had Alzheimer’s for about 10 years leaving her close to death, Ryan said.
“She was a brilliant woman but she’s been reduced to even less than a child. She has to be fed, she can’t fend for herself,’’ Ryan said.
You can reach Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839