Dear Friends,
We Are Here for You
Alzheimer’s is a disease of loss. It slowly robs brilliant men and women of the amazing things they have achieved throughout their lives. It steals moments that were shared together and shortens the promise of future ones. Not only does the person with the disease suffer losses but the families of those who care for them often experience a profound helplessness that accompanies their grief and loss.
With the introduction of COVID-19 these losses are not replaced; they are compounded. The normal routines that you have come to depend upon have been upset. Vital services have become impossible or harder to obtain. And the stress of the unknown weighs heavy in the air.
For many of our families it feels like everything has been taken from them. That is why we made the decision right away to continue our services. Although we had to suspend our inperson meetings and support groups, we immediately transitioned almost all of our regular groups to be delivered online. In April we had more than 40 online groups and meetings. And we will be offering as many in May and will continue offering our services online as long as we cannot meet in person.
We understand that using technology and becoming comfortable joining groups online can be daunting. That’s why we have created help videos and offer one on one support to help get you familiar with our online services. If you have not tried yet, we encourage you to do so and we standby ready to assist you.
We also want you to know that while our physical office is closed, every one of our staff members is working every day assisting families. We are helping families through online private meetings, through email, and of course we continue to be available by phone. While it can feel like you are going through this alone, please know we are here for you.
We Want Your Suggestions
Every service that the Alzheimer’s Support Network provides has been in response to needs that our families have identified. We want to hear from you. Is there a service that we could be providing in this time of turmoil that would be important to you? Please let us know. If it is possible for us to construct and deliver that service we will work with any willing partners to try to achieve it.
We Thank You
The dedication, the diligence, and the courage that we have seen from you throughout these unparalleled times has warmed our hearts and strengthened our resolve. We are so grateful for all the warm wishes and the inspirational comments you have offered us as we go through these times with you. And we are so grateful to the generosity that you have shown in helping to keep our mission alive.
This is the time of year that we send out one of only two annual fundraising letters. We fully understand that you might wholeheartedly support our mission but are not in a position to contribute financially this year. If you are able to contribute, please know that it is because of your generosity that the Alzheimer’s Support Network has been able to provide all of our services free of charge to the citizens of Collier County for the past 38 years.
We love you and wish you well. And we want to hear from you. If you have or are now caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s, you are our heroes. You are our inspiration. And please know we are here for you.
You are not in this alone.
Your Alzheimer’s Support Network Family
To donate click here. Thank You!