Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care recently took the steps to help the Alzheimer’s Association by participating in the 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 10. As a team, they so far have raised more than $12,000 for this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and they are currently ranked in the Top Five teams in the Delaware Valley Chapter.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place on the Kutztown University campus. Walkers and volunteers enjoyed food, photos and entertainment before and after the Walk, including face painting, Irish dancers and raffles.
Before the Walk began, there was a Promise Garden ceremony, which allowed participants to raise their flowers, representing their promise to remember, honor, care and fight for those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. The colored flowers represented each walker’s connection to the disease: blue, for someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia; purple, for someone who lost a loved one to the disease; yellow, for someone currently caring for someone with Alzheimer’s; and orange, for everyone who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. Jennelle Jamison, director of memory care at Chestnut Knoll, stood on the stage holding an orange flower, representing Chestnut Knoll as an advocate. By the end of the ceremony, all Promise Flowers were raised in the air to represent a commitment to leading the way to a world without Alzheimer’s.
After the ceremony, the Chestnut Knoll team joined a sea of people dressed in purple and made their way around the 1.5 mile route around the campus. People young and old, and even some dogs, made up more than 600 walkers in the event to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s.
“Our success is credited to a fantastic team, with members old and new, that has strived to raise individually, and as a whole, to help end Alzheimer’s,” said Jamison. “We would like to thank everyone who helped at our fundraisers and donated to our team.”
Chestnut Knoll held various fund raisers throughout the year to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, including a “Making Memories to Save Memories” Beef and Beer fundraiser; a Chicken BBQ and Pulled Pork sale; and individual donations from team members. Two more fund raisers will be held later this year, a “Memories Matter, so Make One” painting party in November at the community, and a mixer at Doc Watson’s Irish Pub in Gilbertsville, in December, to help reach their goal of $18,000.
“We are proud to be able to give to a cause that is so near and dear to us,” said Shawn Barndt, executive director. “We see each day the effects that this terrible disease has on the victims and the families. Although we do all we can to support everyone through the process through our services at Chestnut Knoll, we look forward to a world without Alzheimer’s.”
Donations are accepted through the end of 2015. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Chestnut Knoll team can contact Chestnut Knoll by calling 610-473-8066, or by visiting www.alz.org and searching for the “Chestnut Knoll” team.
Chestnut Knoll continues to be a leader in care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. They have worked closely with the Alzheimer’s Association for many years and provide great service to those in need of special assistance in Memory Care. The staff is trained through a program designed by the Alzheimer’s Association in how to care for residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s. In addition, Alzheimer’s Association official Alzheimer’s Support Groups are provided each month for caregivers or family members of those suffering from Alzheimer’s to learn more about the disease, and what to expect. For more information on how Chestnut Knoll can help your loved one experiencing memory loss, please call 610-473-8066.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through research; to provide and enhance care and support for those affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health (www.alz.org).
Chestnut Knoll offers Personal Care and Memory Care residences at an affordable month-to-month basis with no buy-in fees. Services include 24-hour personal care assistance with medical support, meals, housekeeping, social events, transportation and a state-of-the-art wellness program that provides ongoing therapy services, regardless of insurance coverage. Chestnut Knoll also offers At Home care services available to seniors where they live. Services include assistance with medication monitoring, personal care, companion care, light housekeeping and laundry, and transportation, to name a few. For more information on Chestnut Knoll Personal Care, Memory Care, or At Home Services, please call Shawn Barndt, executive director, at 610-473-8066 or visit www.chestnutknoll.com.
