Committee’s project launch to take place Nov. 15; Commissioner Susan Brager and nationwide Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Jeffrey Cummings to kick things off
LAS VEGAS – November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. The impact of Alzheimer’s disease on Clark County is great and growing at an unprecedented rate. Every 69 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. In Nevada, a popular retirement destination, it is expected that by 2025, there will be twice the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease than there were in 2000.
Because of this, nearly 40 individuals representing numerous health care-related organizations, companies and non-profits have partnered together to organize the Clark County Alzheimer’s Action Network to make Alzheimer’s disease a community priority. Their ultimate goal: to provide High quality care and services for those who need it most and to collaborate to promote a cure for this devastating disease.
The committee’s official launch will take place Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health – located at 888 W. Bonneville Ave., just east of I-15. The launch is not open to the public.
Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, one of the country’s leading Alzheimer’s experts, will kick off the project at 9 a.m., at which time he will discuss the organization’s purpose, goals and more.
At 9:10 a.m., Clark County Commissioner Chair Susan Brager will speak. The nearly 40 individuals representing businesses and organizations of all sizes and in all areas of health care will be in attendance as well.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 60-70 percent of all cases. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are progressive, degenerative illnesses that attack the brain. They affect people’s abilities, impacting on all aspects of their life and upon others in their lives, particularly those who care for them.
“Clark County, with leading health advocates, visionary public health officials and an engaged Alzheimer’s stakeholder community, has the opportunity to reduce the impact and improve the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and all Clark County citizens,” Cummings said. “Attention to this rapidly growing problem needs to improve so that those affected do not suffer without help, or hope.”
The Clark County Alzheimer’s Action Network (CCAAN) is committed to making this change in order to transform the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the community. The organization is beginning to build a large group of supporters and will continue to engage more. Rather than duplicate existing efforts, the group is in the process of identifying resources that currently exist within the community.
To make Alzheimer’s disease a priority in the community, CCAAN plans to drive awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to increase community focus and actions; empower Alzheimer’s providers to recognize and deliver Alzheimer’s-centered continuum of care; and serve as a catalyst to create a robust, interconnected Alzheimer’s providers community, strengthening the health professional network to ensure Clark County residents impacted by Alzheimer’s disease receive best-in-class care, support and access to research.
For more information on the Clark County Alzheimer’s Action Network, call 702-483-6026.