The Birches sponsors Alzheimer's research education event
On March 19, The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is partnering with the Alzheimer's Association and The Community House to raise awareness about Alzheimer's research. As part of a series of Alzheimer's Association education events titled "Alzheimer's Research: Get Informed, Get Involved," The Birches and The Community House will host a presentation by keynote speaker Kumar Bharat Rajan, Ph.D. from Rush University Medical Center. The presentation will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community House, 415 W. Eighth Street, Hinsdale.
Dr. Kumar Bharat Rajan will discuss current trends, efforts and directions in dementia research and will provide information about the benefits of participation in research and local studies. He will also be awarded a check for $49,957.00 through the New Investigator Research Grant program to fund the first year of his research titled "Role of Activities on Genetic Risk of Neurodegeneration by Race/Ethnicity." At the end of the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to enroll in the Alzheimer's Association's TrialMatch program.
The TrialMatch program is a free service provided by the Alzheimer's Association that matches individuals with Alzheimer's, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current Alzheimer's studies. The Alzheimer's Association's TrialMatch database contains more than 225 clinical studies that are being performed at 700 trial sites throughout the country.
Clinical trials play an important role in finding new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have already made great strides in developing treatments for Alzheimer's. Drugs have been developed that can temporarily improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's, but more research is necessary to develop treatments that slow or stop the progression of the disease.
For clinical trials to be productive, volunteers are needed from a variety of backgrounds. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer's play an important role in research, but researchers also need volunteers without Alzheimer's. According to the Alzheimer's Association, recruiting and retaining trial participants is the greatest barrier to finding new Alzheimer's treatments besides funding.
"I think raising awareness about the need for volunteers in clinical trials is important," said Birches' Director of Encore and Memory Care Services Jackie Raschke. "A lot of people would love to help find a cure for Alzheimer's but don't know what they can do. TrialMatch gives people a concrete way to contribute."
This event is free and open to the public. To register, call 847-933-2413 or register online at www.alz.org/illinois.
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents' physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.