Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Triple Your Impact This Holiday Season
Celebrate the holidays with a year-end gift that can go 3x as far to help provide care and support to the millions affected by Alzheimer's disease, and to advance critical research. But please hurry — this 3x Match Challenge ends soon.
Donate NowFrom Care to Cure: Raising Funds and Hope in the Face of Dementia
In the fight against Alzheimer’s, every story matters.
Finding Purpose Through Connection
Nate West first encountered the Alzheimer’s Association during the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “Experiencing it firsthand made me realize I wanted to be part of it,” he shares. “The sense of community and hope at the Walk, being surrounded by families, individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and healthcare professionals all coming together for a common cause, was incredibly powerful.”
Justin Score also attended the 2024 Walk, supporting a staff member and client involved in the Shine Your Light Orchestra. “Seeing the number of individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s was incredibly moving,” he says. “It was a true call to action for me and my team at Heritage Home Care.”
For Emily Tao, her journey began in 2017 as a caregiver in a memory care group home. “I was actively working to learn everything I could to take care of my residents the way they needed,” she recalls. “That’s when I was introduced to the Alzheimer’s Association and their resources.”
After a positive experience at the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Phoenix, Emily, Justin, and Nate put together a Walk team of their own for 2025. They have already raised over $10,000 for the cause.
Personal Impact and Professional Commitment
Nate, Justin, and Emily have all felt the effects of dementia in deeply personal ways.
Nate explains, “I’ve been personally impacted by family members who have had Alzheimer’s and dementia, but now I’m also impacted indirectly every day through Heritage Home Care. We work with countless clients who are living with cognitive decline.”
Justin shares a similar experience: “My aunt suffered from the disease until her passing, and now my uncle is in the early stages of dementia. These experiences have deepened my empathy for families affected by dementia.”
Emily’s caregiving role has given her a front-row seat to the challenges and triumphs of dementia care. Her dedication to learning and supporting her residents has been shaped by the Association’s educational resources.
Words of Wisdom for Caregivers
When asked what advice they’d offer to others caring for someone with dementia, their responses were heartfelt and practical.
Nate emphasizes patience and forgiveness. “Try to meet them where they are instead of correcting or challenging what they believe to be true in that moment,” he advises. “Most importantly, do not try to carry it alone.”
Justin encourages early support and education. “The more you understand the disease and its progression, the better equipped you’ll be to respond with patience and compassion.”
Emily reminds caregivers to care for themselves too. “Give yourself some grace. It’s okay to ask for help, join a support group, or have a trusted group of friends you can call.”
They also shared the best advice they’ve received:
- Nate: “You can’t change the disease, but you can change the experience.”
- Justin: “Use the tool of redirection.”
- Emily: “Just join the journey. You’ll never win an argument with someone who has dementia—just go with them.”
Raising awareness is a shared passion among these three advocates. “More people die from Alzheimer’s disease than from breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. It’s not a matter of if you’ll be impacted—it’s a matter of when,” Nate points out.
Justin adds, “Awareness drives understanding and action. It helps reduce stigma, encourages early detection, and ensures access to resources.”
The stories of Nate, Justin, and Emily remind us that while dementia brings immense challenges, it also brings out extraordinary compassion and strength. Their commitment to raising awareness and funds through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a powerful example of how we can all make a difference.
You can be part of this movement too. Whether you’ve been personally impacted by dementia or simply want to support the cause, joining a Walk to End Alzheimer’s team is a meaningful way to take action.
👉 Visit act.alz.org/dswwalks to find the walk nearest to you and sign up today.
Together, we can raise funds, share hope, and move closer to a world without Alzheimer’s.
