Picture perfect for The Longest Day – Alzheimer’s Association – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

Picture perfect for The Longest Day – Alzheimer’s Association – Optimum Senior Care – Chicago In Home Caregivers

The Longest Day is all about love. Love for all those affected by Alzheimer’s. On the summer solstice, teams from all across Illinois are participating in activities that they love in support of the Alzheimer’s Association. Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer’s. In this article, we feature one of our Longest Day participants, Tara Grey.

Picture Perfect for The Longest Day

The Longest Day is all about love. Love for all those affected by Alzheimer’s. On the summer solstice, teams from all across Illinois are participating in activities that they love in support of the Alzheimer’s Association. Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer’s. In this article, we feature one of our Longest Day participants, Tara Grey.

“I recall the first time I realized my maternal grandmother had the disease,” photographer and mother of four, Tara Gray said. “She kept hiding money from herself and could never find it.”

While misplacing objects seem commonplace, Tara knew her grandmother had drastically shifted. Often times, Alzheimer’s disease not only results in memory loss, but also behavioral changes as well – resulting in the rapid decline of a person’s livelihood.

“She suffered with the disease for many years,” Tara said. “It affected her to the very last breath she took.” Watching Alzheimer’s take effect on her grandmother’s health, Tara knew she couldn’t sit idly by.

“Getting involved by raising funds and awareness became so important to me because I saw how it affected my grandmother,” Tara said. “I wanted to help support an end to this disease and honor her.”

Keeping true to her word, Tara decided to participate in The Longest Day by invoking her own passion in the process.

“I am a photographer, so I decided to offer a special event called “Go Purple” for individuals and families who take photos with me in support of The Longest Day,” Tara said. “A portion of the proceeds will go directly to my team. I am also doing large group photos of people dressed in purple to support The Longest Day in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Brain and Awareness Month.”

But it takes more than one. Tara encourages others to make an effort and participate in The Longest Day as well.

“Others should participate to help raise more awareness,” Tara said. “If we all get involved, we could hopefully place more focus on medical options to prolong the timeline of the disease and eventually find a cure.”

Join The Longest Day – Team up with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Select an activity you love, and plan your event on or around The Longest Day.

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