Lutheran Home celebrates Alzheimer's Awareness Month
The Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights has been a fixture in the community for 123 years, almost as long as the village of Arlington Heights.
What started with a pastor's dream and 26 cents has led to the Lutheran Home becoming a national leader in the field of senior living and residential health care options.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared November as National Alzheimer's disease Awareness Month. Lutheran Home honors that commitment to Alzheimer's awareness, education, treatment and search for a cure during the month of November.
An expert in the field of dementia care, the Lutheran Home campus offers both Adult Day Care and residential care for those dealing with memory loss. The increased demand for these services is an indication that the disease is affecting more individuals and families each year.
On Monday, Nov. 2, Lutheran Home is honored to welcome Dr. Lisa Genova, author of the best-selling book "Still Alice." Dr. Genova will be sharing research and insights on Alzheimer's disease.
The evening will begin with the mayor of Arlington Heights declaring the commitment between the community of Arlington Heights and Lutheran Home to raise awareness for the disease and offer support for those affected. Dr. Genova will then offer an one-hour presentation, followed by questions and answers from the audience, and conclude with a book signing.
Prior to and following the event, Lutheran Home will host a vendor fair, where other memory support communities will be available to answer questions about their community and offer information to the public.
During the entire month of November, people can complete a "tree tag" in remembrance or honor of someone they know who is struggling with the disease.
"Tree tags" will accompany purple ribbons tied around trees on the 84 acre campus of Lutheran Home. The hope is to have every tree on the campus tied with a purple ribbon by the end of the month. In addition, the campus will be adorned with purple mums, purple lighting and purple bunting and signage showing the commitment of Lutheran Home to Alzheimer's Awareness.
In addition to the kickoff event with Dr. Genova, Lutheran Home will be offering education opportunities provided by the Alzheimer's Association during November.
Special activities and events will be held specifically for the residents in the memory support continuum and the adult day care center.
For information on any upcoming activity or event, or to register for the evening with Dr. Lisa Genova, go to www.lutheranhome.org.