An Ocala senior living executive has been selected to lead an upcoming charity effort aimed at battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Timothy Smith, executive director of the Brookdale Chambrel Pinecastle senior living community, will serve as chair of the 2019 Ocala Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event is being put on by the Central and North Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Jim Samuelson, a local franchise owner for Home Instead Senior Care, will serve as co-chair.
“Brookdale Chambrel Pinecastle in Ocala has been a part of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for many years,” Smith said. “Besides being a part of the National Brookdale Corporate Sponsorship, the Chambrel Chargers team raises funds locally throughout the year for the Walk.”
Smith said his organization cares for residents and works with caregivers who are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease on a daily basis.
“This allows us to give back to those who have given so much to us and have lost so much of themselves to this horrific disease,” he said.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Referencing his work with seniors, Samuelson shared that he and his team also are looking forward to making this year’s Walk a success.
“As a franchise owner for Home Instead Senior Care, I proudly support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association,” Samuelson said. “(My employees and I) see the impact of Alzheimer’s disease each and every day, and we know that our involvement helps make a huge difference.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. On Walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with “promise flowers” during the poignant Promise Garden ceremony – a moving display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s.
“Events such as Walk to End Alzheimer’s are most successful when they are led and supported by outstanding and passionate volunteers who believe in our mission to end Alzheimer’s,” said Dave Josserand, vice president of development for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Central and North Florida Chapter. “We are so fortunate to have Timothy and Jim as our 2019 chair and co-chair, and our team looks forward to supporting them and all the volunteers to make this a record event.”
The 2019 Ocala Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place Sept. 21 at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala. Nearly 900 people from the Ocala area are expected to participate in the effort to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.
To register or learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org/walk.