Washoe County Senior Services Participates in the Longest Day to raise awareness for Alzheimer's

Reno, Nevada. June 20, 2014. Alzheimer’s disease is a global epidemic. Worldwide, there are at least 44 million people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia's, including 30,000 here in Nevada.

People across the globe, including people throughout Northern Nevada, will participate in The Longest Day to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer's with a day of brain-healthy activity.

The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event Saturday, June 21. The event will raise funds to fuel the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. On The Longest Day, thousands will complete approximately 16 hours of activity ranging from running, cooking and knitting to playing cards, to honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Participants in The Longest Day are joining a global conversation about Alzheimer's disease, the brain and other dementia's as part of the inaugural Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in June. To join a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=5860&pg=entry.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/. Alzheimer's is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.

Washoe County Senior Services will support National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month by wearing purple Friday, June 20, 2014, in support of seniors and their caregivers living daily with Alzheimer’s and other dementia's. Senior Services operates an Adult Day Health program that provides medically supervised day care for adults and seniors in Washoe County suffering from Alzheimer’s and other brain health disorders. The Adult Day Health program allows those suffering from cognitive issues to avoid institutionalization and age at home with loved ones.

The mission of Washoe County Senior Services is to offer opportunities for the community's older adults to maintain dignity, to maintain independence, and to enhance the quality of their lives through the provision of direct services in a quality, cost-effective manner.

Services include home delivered meals, nine congregate meal sites, recreational and social activities, Daybreak Adult Day Services, social services and legal assistance. For more information, call (775) 328-2575 or visit the Senior Services Department online at www.washoecounty.us/seniorsrv.