MANSFIELD — Teams are forming in anticipation of the annual North Central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Mansfield from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14, and Crawford County teams are needed.

Crystle Taylor-Stephenson is the director of an assisted living community and has worked in the senior living and health care industry for more than 16 years.

“I have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of this disease. As an executive director of a senior living community, I have a passion to support all affected by Alzheimer’s,” said Taylor-Stephenson, who has helped organize the event.

Approximately 5.7 million Americans currently are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

She and her team of caregivers strive to provide emotional support and personalized care for the victims of this disease.

“It is also imperative to provide ongoing education to our team about the disease; its effects, stages and proper communication techniques in order to provide the best care for our residents,” said Taylor-Stephenson, who serves on the Walk Planning Committee for the Alzheimer’s Association. “Working with families and those affected by this disease travel through the stages is very emotional and they deserve all the support we can give. I think it is important for them to understand this disease and what comes with its stages.”

Taylor-Stephenson said she is involved with the Alzheimer’s Association because of its support and educational programs.

“There are so many ways the Alzheimer’s Association helps people affected by the disease. What really impresses me is that 77 percent of all their funds go directly to care, support and research awareness. Great strides are being made from their research to find treatments to stop, slow and prevent the disease,” Taylor-Stephenson said. “My hope is that our generation will witness the first survivor.”

She said it really does take a village to make a difference and the upcoming walk is one way for people to get involved and help find a cure for the disease that robs people of their memories.

“Our senior living community is co-sponsoring a launch event for this year’s walk at the Blueberry Patch, 1285 Hanley Road West in Mansfield on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 5-7 p.m. The event is free and there will be a pizza bar, raffles and other activities to raise awareness and money for this year’s walk,” Taylor-Stephenson said.

For more information, call (419) 756-5599 or for those who would like to attend. To register for the walk and for more information on the Alzheimer’s disease, upcoming walks and more, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s website at www.alz.org.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood and personality