The Alzheimer's Association of Western New York, a non-profit, voluntary organization, was formed in 1981 by a group of families, caregivers, and concerned professionals.  The Association's mission is to provide support, education, respite, care consultation and resource referrals to those affected by dementia, their families, and professional caregivers in the eight counties of Western New York.

Serving persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, their families and caregivers, the agency has a professional staff that provides support, educational programs and assistance to family members; raises funds to support and enhance the programming; and has offices that also house its lending library and training facilities.   More than forty caregiver support groups meet throughout the region to assist caregivers, with specialized groups for early stage Alzheimer's patients, spouses and male caregivers.

Caregivers can access help with care issues through telephone and in-person consultation, as well as the chapter's informative website. Building on emerging research findings, the chapter offers "Power Your Memory" education sessions, helping thousands of Western New Yorkers reduce their risk for dementia.

Although affiliated with the national Alzheimer's Association, the Western New York Chapter is a local, independent agency with an active working Board of Directors.  Agency revenues are primarily derived from fundraising, including private and corporate donations, membership dues, memorials, special events, bequests, and annual appeals.  Funds raised are used to continue our services to persons with dementia and their caregivers living in the eight-county region the chapter serves.

There are an estimated 55,000 persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias living in Western New York.  The great majority of those - close to 80% - lives at home and is cared for by their families.  And since these are usually diseases of aging, those numbers are expected to rise dramatically over the next decade as the "Baby Boomers" age.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias or programs and services that the Alzheimer's Association provides, call (716) 626-0600 / (800) 272-3900 or log onto http://www.alz.org/wny.