Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter is committed to its mission to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, while enhancing care and support services for individuals and families.

Description:
For more than 20 years, the Alzheimer's Association has provided vital services and support to individuals, families, and care partners in their communities. To help meet the needs of the community, the Greater Iowa Chapter has centered its programs on five core services:

Care Consultation - a grouping of services to assist the person with the disease and/or their families in planning for and dealing with all aspects of the disease.
Information and Referral - providing information about Alzheimer's disease, services provided by the chapter, and community resources as they relate to the disease.
Support Groups - regularly scheduled in-person gatherings of people with Alzheimer's disease, family, friends, or caregivers who interact around issues relating to Alzheimer's.
Education - programs that equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance the quality of life of the individual with dementia.
Safe Return/Safety Services - an identification program that assists in the safe and timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders who wander and become lost.

History:
Twenty-five years ago, Alzheimer's disease was still largely misunderstood, and resources for caregivers were virtually nonexistent. Family members struggled to provide care for loved ones and health professionals could offer scant assistance, as research into the causes and prevention of this devastating disease were negligible.

In Davenport, Iowa, a dedicated group of caregivers dedicated themselves to forming a support group for caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's. In 1983, Josephine Lindquist and Sister Carolyn Walters held their first informational meeting. Thirty people attended that first meeting. Later that year, the group formed its own organizational board of directors. In 1984, the volunteer group affiliated itself with the National Alzheimer's Association. Volunteers did all the work until 1985, when Josephine was hired part-time. Many of the early meetings took place in her living room.

In Central Iowa, caregivers followed much the same route, banding together to offer support and help spread awareness of this little-understood disease. From the Golden Chapter, the Mid-Iowa Chapter, and mergers with the Mississippi Valley Chapter has emerged The Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, now serving 63 counties in Iowa and Illinois.

Contact people:

Holly Bradford, Chief Financial Officer, (phone), (email) Teri Elliott, Office Administrator, (phone), (email) Carol Sipfle, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (515) 440-6385

Address:

1730 28th Street West Des Moines, IA 50266 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.alz.org/greateriowa

Directions:

Our office is between University Ave. & Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. If using I-235, use the 22nd Street exit and proceed north on 22nd St. At the corner of Westown Parkway, you'll proceed west(or left) until you come. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Westown Parkway between 22nd & 28th in West Des Moines, 5 minute walk

Last updated on September 18, 2009