Library Story Walk, Alzheimer’s Walk in Gibson Park
The Great Falls Public Library’s monthly Story Walk display in Gibson Park features two books to help young people understand Alzheimer’s and memory loss.
The books are “Never Forget Eleanor” and “How to Babysit a Grandpa” and are in preparation for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Gibson Park this weekend.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which the library is participating in, helps raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
The walk begins at 11 a.m. Sept. 14 and the associations local goal this year is to raise $32,250.
The pre-event festivities begin at 10 a.m., with an opening and promise garden ceremony at 11 a.m. and the walk follows.
As of Sept. 12, 73 participants and 11 teams had raised $26,859, or 83 percent of that goal.
Funds raised through the walk further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Register for the walk here.
The GFPL Story Walk display also was put up to honor Grandparents’ Day on Sept. 8, which was created in 1978 by then-President Jimmy Carter, who signed a proclamation creating the National Grandparents’ Day.
The library also hosts monthly Memory Cafés the first Tuesday of each month from 12:30-2 p.m.
The cafés “can be great groups for those with mild cognitive impairment or a diagnosis of dementia or memory impairment. Friends and family members of these individuals are encouraged to attend as well. The person with memory loss may attend individually if appropriate, but typically they are encouraged to attend with a caregiver, as the cafes are fun for everyone! No formal assessment or referral is needed. People who join us gather and socialize over coffee and snacks while participating in brain stimulating activities,” according to the library.
For more information, check out the Alzheimer’s Association’s ALZ Navigator website and ALZ Connected, a free online community designed for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
