World Photo by Alex Powers Heritage Place Assisted Living Director of Marketing Kay Heikkila and Alzheimer’s Association Regional Director Frank Hales pose with the Purple Sneaker Award last week. The trophy is awarded by the Alzheimer’s Association to any organization that raises the most funding for the Alzheimer’s Association in the course of one year.

Every 71 seconds another person develops Alzheimer’s disease.

That statistic creates concern for Alzheimer’s advocates like Frank Hales and Kay Heikkila as they try to provide more resources for patients and caregivers.

Hales, the regional director for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Cascade Coast office, points to the country’s aging population — the Baby Boomers — as statistics show one in six women and one in 10 men that reach 55 years old may develop Alzheimer’s.

“We’re not prepared for the number that will be affected with Alzheimer’s,” Hales said.

The National Center for Health Statistics lists Alzheimer’s as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, just behind diabetes. The numbers from 2005 show 71,599 patients died from Alzheimer’s. Hales said statistics since then show Alzheimer’s creeping into sixth place.

“We surpassed diabetes,” he said.

Hales and other advocates are taking action. They are working together to raise awareness and education, as well as provide support for caregivers.

Every third Tuesday of the month, the association will host an education meeting to explore topics related to coping with the disease. This month’s meeting will feature a talk by Hales on how Alzheimer’s affects people in different ways and to help caregivers understand what is happening to an Alzheimer’s patient.

Hales said he hopes to help caregivers understand that patients have a diminished ability to process information. He uses the example of asking a patient a question — as he goes through the question and related information, the Alzheimer’s patient is likely still focusing on the first couple of words.

These days Alzheimer’s patients also are taking a more active role in educating others on their disease.

Recently, people with Alzheimer’s rallied at local post offices when the U.S. Post Office launched the Alzheimer’s stamp. Some of those individuals purchased stamps and immediately affixed them to letters they wrote their congressional representative, he said. Their letters urged elected officials to fund research and learn more about the disease.

 “They are not victims,” he said. “They are people with a disease.”

Dealing with the disease isn’t just about the patient. Many Alzheimer’s patients are cared for in the home by loved ones. Those caregivers need support, too.

Starting this month, the organization will offer respite care. That will give caregivers an opportunity to attend a support meeting and share feelings they may not want their loved ones to hear.

The Alzheimer’s Association also provides books, brochures and videos for those wanting to learn more. Hales said caregivers and patients, alike, have access to information and support through Web sites and hotlines.

Education is just one piece of Hales and Heikkila’s preparation. The other is awareness and fundraising. Heikkila, marketing director at Heritage Place Assisted Living and an Alzheimer’s advocate organized an Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Bandon during September. The walk increased  awareness about the disease, but also netted the regional chapter $3,122, Heikkila said. The money will be used for research and education programs.

“We hope to do better next year,” she said. Heikkila is already looking for volunteers.