CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Consumers who want a status check on their memory can take advantage of free, confidential screenings at nine Senior Living Communities throughout the Southeast. The free memory screenings will take place on November 17 as part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) designed to promote proper detection of memory problems and strategies for successful aging.
Senior Living Communities owns and operates luxury retirement communities in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. Each community features a continuum of care and many provide private units for members suffering from memory loss or other cognitive disorders. With recent operational changes including wellness programming targeted specifically for residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, the communities volunteered as host-sites for free memory screenings to promote awareness and early detection.
Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions. Now in its seventh year, AFA’s National Memory Screening Day coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which takes place during November. Along with Senior Living Communities, sites across the country will be participating.
The memory screenings will take place on November 17. Times and locations are listed below:
Homestead Hills
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Screeings from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
p. (336) 659-0708
www.Homestead-
RidgeCrest
Mount Airy, N.C.
Screenings from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
p. (336) 786-2899
www.Ridge-Crest.com
Summit Hills
Spartanburg, S.C.
Screenings from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
p. (864) 591-2222
www.Summit-Hills.com
Brightwater
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Screenings from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
p. (843) 903-8300
www.Brightwater-
The Lakes at Litchfield
Pawleys Island, S.C.
Screenings from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
p. (843) 235-9393
www.Lakes-Litchfield.com
Marsh’s Edge
St. Simons Island, Ga.
Screenings from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
p. (912) 291-2000
www.Marshs-Edge.com
Osprey Village
Amelia Island, Fla.
Screenings from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
p. (904) 277-8222
www.Osprey-Village.com
Watersong
Melbourne, Fla.
Screenings from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
p. (321) 253-7440
www.Water-Song.com
The Lakes at Pointe West
Vero Beach, Fla.
Screenings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
p. (772) 299-7900
www.Pointe-West.com
The event features a face-to-face screening, which takes only about five to ten minutes, and consists of a series of questions and tasks. It is administered by a qualified health care professional, such as a physician, nurse, psychologist or social worker. The results do not represent a diagnosis, and AFA advises those individuals with below-normal scores or those who have normal scores but are still concerned to follow up with a qualified health care professional.
Vice President of Member Services Kelly Stranburg urges the public to be proactive about brain health.
“It’s so important to understand the connection between brain health and physical health,” Stranburg said. “We urge everyone to come out and safeguard their health by taking advantage of this wonderful, free resource.”
Currently, as many as 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and the incidence is rising in line with the aging population. Age is the greatest known risk factor.
For more information about National Memory Screening Day, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.com or call 866-AFA-8484.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in New York and made up of more than 1,200 member organizations that provide hands-on programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. AFA’s services include a toll-free hot line, counseling, educational materials, a free caregiver magazine, and professional training. For information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
