If you need to talk, our toll-free, 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information, referrals and support in multiple languages. Call us anytime at 1.800.272.3900.
From coast to coast, our local chapters are in your community, providing core services to families and professionals, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services.
Our online community connects people from all across the country who share their experiences and find support and friendship with others living with Alzheimer's.
MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return is our 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementia that wander or who have a medical emergency.
We operate the Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library, the nation's largest library dedicated to Alzheimer's disease. The library provides a wide variety of free information services to the public.
Alzheimer's Association CareSource™ is our online suite of resources that will help coordinate assistance from family and friends, locate senior housing, receive customized care recommendations and enhance caregiving skills.
Our annual Dementia Care Conference provides a valuable forum for health care and social service professionals. Our annual International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease brings together the world's best scientists to exchange ideas and present breakthrough research. And, we convened the first-of-its-kind conference on Alzheimer's disease prevention, the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia.
We are advancing Alzheimer research through our peer-reviewed research grants program. Since 1982, the Association has committed more than $220 million to best-of-field research proposals.
Our journal, Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, presents the latest original, peer-reviewed, basic and clinical research advances in the field, including early detection, prevention and treatment.
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is the nations' largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.
We educate consumers about keeping their brains healthy and potentially reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Our advocates educate Congress on critical Alzheimer policy issues and work to increase federal funding for research and care programs.
We are leading the way in making sure that dementia care is safe, respectful and meaningful for every individual through our Campaign for Quality Care.
As part of our Early-Stage Initiative, we've enlisted an advocacy group of individuals with early-stage dementia who are guiding our efforts in raising awareness of the disease and changing perceptions. A national dialogue on Alzheimer's began in 2007 through a series of Town Hall Meetings hosted by the Association.
Our consumer awareness campaign urges Americans to become Alzheimer's Champions and move our cause forward.
Our beginning
The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association was incorporated on April 10, 1980, with a budget of $75,000 and businessman Jerome Stone as founding president. The seven founding chapters were Boston, Columbus, Minneapolis, New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Seattle.
In 1980, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested only $13 million in Alzheimer research. Then, in 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated the first National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Week. The Association founded more chapters and started its own research program. Things were beginning to happen.
The Alzheimer's Association, today a multimillion-dollar organization, has been the catalyst and leader for a generation of advancements in Alzheimer research and care. Our organization's achievements and progress in the field have given thousands of people a better quality of life and brought hope for millions more.
