Home Instead raises funds for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Manassas

Families can spend tens of thousands of dollars in providing in-home care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

The disease is the most common type of dementia and those afflicted with it can experience complete memory loss in its advanced stage. It is estimated that over 5 million people in the United States have the disease and that number is expected to triple over the next 30 years. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the country according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Manassas aims to provide hope and help to those suffering from the disease by raising money that goes to research in finding a cure. Home Instead, an in-home care senior care provider in Manassas, is making an impact not only by providing in-home care to those affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, but by also by recruiting CAREGivers, staff, clients and their families to Walk.

“Home Instead is on the cutting edge of training and care for these clients – we train our CAREGivers on how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s, said Colin Searcy, spokesman for Home Instead Senior Care, and provide continuing education classes to ensure our clients are receiving the best possible care. We hope to have at least 75 people from our office for the Walk on October 15th.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s began at a national level, comprised of national and corporate teams. Home Instead Senior Care got behind the Alzheimer’s Association in their work at a national level by promoting the work of the Alzheimer’s Association through sponsorship and fundraising by franchises across the country. Franchises form teams that fundraise and encourage people to come out and support the cause through various events.

According to Searcy, Home Instead has several individuals in the office who go out and distribute fliers to area businesses to create awareness about the Walks. Searcy serves on a committee that meets monthly at the Home Instead office to discuss how local businesses, restaurants, and other organizations can become involved.

“We’re not just spreading the word in Manassas, we are going into other cities like Gainesville and Haymarket because Alzheimer’s is not just a Manassas problem,” said Searcy.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on October 15 in Manassas starting at the Harris Pavilion. Participants may choose to enter the one-mile walk or the three-mile walk. The minimum donation for a t-Shirt is $100, but participants can walk by themselves or organize their own teams and set their own personal fundraising goals. All monies raised goes towards research and finding a cure.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The Walk starts at 10 a.m.