The Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus will make several stops along the Florida Keys to provide free support services to families facing this disease between Monday, April 22 and Saturday, April 27.
Currently, more than 10% of Monroe County residents ages 65 and up are living with Alzheimer’s.
Trained staff will be available at the Brain Bus to help families understand steps to get an accurate diagnosis, warning signs, caregiving tips and connect to local resources. No appointment is needed. Social Services has a transit system that is free for ages 60 plus for those who would like to attend and need transportation. Priority is given to the elderly and/or disabled.
Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Florida has the second highest number of residents living with Alzheimer’s. More than 580,000 Floridians are living with Alzheimer’s.
“Alzheimer’s impacts the entire family and broader community,” said Heike Accorsi, Brain Bus program manager.
The Brain Bus program is managed by the Alzheimer’s Association Florida chapters and funded in partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas. Two mobile vehicles travel the state providing dementia education and resources to at-risk and heavily impacted communities.
Brain Bus stops
- Monday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Key Largo library, 101485 Overseas Highway. An in-person and online community forum takes place at 11 a.m. NEED A QR CODE (register here)
- Tuesday, April 23, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Cayo Del Mar, 5501 3rd Ave., Key West; Alzheimer’s Awareness program at 2 p.m. (Spanish speaking)
- Wednesday, April 24, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Key West/La Premiere Eglise Baptiste de Key West, 5727 2nd Ave., Stock Island; Alzheimer’s Awareness program at 7 p.m. (Creole speaking)
- Thursday, April 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Coral City Elks Lodge, 1107 Whitehead St, Key West; Alzheimer’s Awareness program at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, April 26, from 6:45 to 8 a.m., at DoubleTree Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West (open to Key West Sunrise Rotary in the Conch Republic members and guests)
- Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Eastwind Apartments, 240 Sombrero Beach, Marathon. Alzheimer’s Awareness program at 12 p.m. (Spanish speaking)
