A Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

by | September 12, 2019

Resthaven is a long-time supporter of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Holland and was excited to support the walk this year on September 21. Thank you to all who came out to join us.

In addition to sponsoring and participating in the walk, Resthaven helps by running the registration table. We have a committed group of staff and volunteers there first to set up and manage the registration table.

Natalie VanDrie, volunteer coordinator at Resthaven, was a part of registration during the 2018 walk. “It was really neat to be a part of such a community event. You see people there that you know from church or other involvements and know that you support a mutual cause!”

Last year, Natalie came up with the idea to give all the walkers from Resthaven a blue button with Resthaven’s trademark tulip logo. “I loved looking at the crowd of walkers and seeing what a presence we had in this movement.”

As an organization that serves many people with stages of dementia, we feel called to educate people about dementia and advocate for people with dementia.

“We are huge advocates for dementia research and training and so a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association is a natural fit,” said Eric Gies, Director of Referral Management. “As an organization that sees the detrimental effects of dementia on a daily basis for our residents and their family, we know first-hand the debilitating costs of this disease.”

Resthaven has a Dementia Team that focuses on how to best serve people with dementia and how to educate the community on dementia. They offer free dementia training for groups in the community as part of this mission, and tailor trainings to meet a group’s or organization’s needs. Each session lasts approximately one hour. This year, they have led trainings for The Holland Police Department and many local churches.

If you are interested in setting up a training for your work, church, or other community organization, connect with Shannon March, BSN, RN, Certified Dementia Practitioner at (616) 796-3676 or [email protected]. Join us at The Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 21 at Kollen Park. Registration starts at 9 a.m., the ceremony starts at 10 a.m. You can pre-register online, or register at the event.