“Stepping Forward for Dementia” —with umbrellas
When hosting an outdoor event, scattered rain showers aren’t the best weather. Like memory loss, we can’t control the weather, only our reaction to it. We hosted our fifth annual “Stepping Forward for Dementia” event despite off-and-on rain throughout the morning.
More than 60 attendees participated in the two-mile walk on August 7. Typically, residents greet the walkers as they pass by each care community, but due to the weather, the residents remained inside.
Leading up to the start of the walk, attendees had an opportunity to “plant” a pinwheel in our pinwheel garden. These pinwheels represent a promise to remember, honor, care, and fight for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. The different color pinwheels represent the diverse motivations of our walkers from supporting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, having lost someone to Alzheimer’s or dementia, or supporting the cause.
Attendees also had the opportunity to read the book “Grandpa and Lucy,” a story about love and dementia though yard signs that allowed attendees to walk and read the story. The walk started with a welcome speech from Pastor Curt Seefeldt, Director of Church Relations for TLHA, as he thanked the participants for their support.
“We are grateful nearly everyone who registered came out to walk despite a few raindrops,” said Emily Bullert, Therapeutic Recreation Director at The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine.
In 2020, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in Minnesota was 99,000. By 2025, the number is expected to grow to 120,000, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Event sponsors included Agropur Inc., Behnke Auto Center, Inc., Belle Plaine Vets Club, Cornerstone State Bank, First National Bank, Johan’s Bar and Grill, Kristin Werner Therapy, Milestone Auto Glass, Natural Fitness, Riverview Coffee, and Word of Life Church. All proceeds raised from the event will support memory care funding on the Belle Plaine Campus.
The Lutheran Home Association complied a collection of resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Learn more.