Operation Loved One, for Alzheimer's patients, sets May 31 event in Cedar Rapids

Event Date: Thursday, May 31

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4-6pm

Hosted by: MeadowView Memory Care Village, 3005 F Ave NW, Cedar Rapids

In conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Police Department

CEDAR RAPIDS - 5.4 million Americans now have Alzheimer's Disease. 1 in 8 older American's has Alzheimer's. 13% of people over 65 years & 50% over 85 years. These numbers are expected to rise to 16 million by 2050. Alzheimer's is the 6

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leading cause of death nationally and the 5

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leading cause of death in Iowa.

Wandering outside is a health and safety risk for those living with Dementia/Alzheimer's. According to statistics from the Alzheimer's Association, 60% of individuals living with Alzheimer's/Dementia will wander. Due to the increase in diagnosis of Dementia/Alzheimer's, The Cedar Rapids Police Department has created a program called “Operation Loved One”. This program offers photographing and finger printing of your loved one living with Dementia. If the individual becomes lost or wanders off, the police department can immediately begin to assist in locating the lost individual.

MeadowView Memory Care Village is hosting a

FREE event  to promote the use of this program in the Corridor. Those in our community caring for someone with Dementia are encouraged to bring their loved one to enjoy a meal and hear about the program from Sergeant Keiller of the CR Police Dpt. Officers will be on hand to register individuals in to the “Operation Loved One” program and provide finger printing and take photos. In addition the

Alzheimer's Association East Central Iowa Chapter

will be providing information about the disease as well as local support group options for families. Contact Angie McClure at 390.7000 before May 23

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to sign up for this event.