A Personal Mission to End Alzheimer's Disease
When Jim K. lost his father to Alzheimer's disease, he made a promise. He wouldn't let other families face this heartbreak without a fight. That's why he's serving as Co-Chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer's for South Orange County, and why Home Instead South Orange Counties is proud to stand with him.
A Disease That Demands Our Attention
The statistics are sobering. Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States – and it's the only disease in the top 10 with no cure or treatment to slow its progression. More than 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's today, while 11 million family caregivers provide unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.
At Home Instead South Orange Counties, we see these numbers come to life every day. We witness the strength of aging adults navigating memory challenges. We support families making difficult decisions. We understand that behind every statistic is a person with a story, a family with dreams, and a community that cares.
Why the Walk Matters
The Walk to End Alzheimer's isn't just a fundraiser – it's the largest event of its kind nationwide, funding critical research, advocacy, and support programs. Every dollar raised brings us closer to the first survivor of Alzheimer's disease.
Consider this: for every $9 spent on care, only $1 goes toward research. The Walk helps change that equation by directing funds toward:
- Breakthrough research toward prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure
- Care and support programs for families facing the disease today
- Advocacy efforts to make Alzheimer's a national priority
Our Personal Connection
Jim's story resonates deeply with our mission at Home Instead. We believe in preserving the choice, dignity, and independence of the families we serve. When Alzheimer's threatens that independence, we don't just provide care – we fight for a future where this disease no longer robs families of precious time together.
"It's time to eradicate this cruel disease," Jim says. "I'm proud to support this cause in honor of the many families impacted, including my own."
His words reflect what we see every day: families who refuse to give up hope, who adapt with courage, and who continue to find joy even in difficult circumstances. The Walk represents that same spirit – refusing to accept the status quo and working toward something better.
How You Can Make a Difference
Join us at Sendero Field on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 8:30 AM. Located in San Juan Capistrano/Rancho Mission Viejo, this year's walk promises to be our most impactful yet.
Can't make it in person? You can still be part of the solution. The beauty of this cause is that geography doesn't limit impact. Whether you're in South Orange County or across the country, your support matters.
Ways to get involved:
- Join our team at act.alz.org/goto/jimk
- Make a donation to fund research and support
- Spread awareness by sharing Jim's story and the walk details
- Honor someone you know who has been affected by Alzheimer's
Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers
This year, we're not just participating – we're aiming to break records. With the support of our community, we believe we can make this year's walk the most successful yet for South Orange County.
But breaking fundraising records is just the beginning. We're working to break barriers: the barrier of silence around dementia, the barrier of hopelessness in the face of diagnosis, and ultimately, the barrier that this disease represents to families living their best lives.
A Better Way Forward
At Home Instead, we've always believed that a better way to age is possible, no matter the need or circumstance. The Walk to End Alzheimer's embodies that same belief on a larger scale. It says that today's relationship with Alzheimer's doesn't have to be tomorrow's.
Every step we take at Sendero Field on September 20th is a step toward a world where families don't have to choose between hope and realism. Where aging adults maintain their self-agency even in the face of memory challenges. Where no one has to say goodbye to a loved one because of a disease we couldn't stop.
Ready to Walk With Us?
My dad may be gone, but his legacy lives on in every person who joins this fight with me. Your participation – whether through donation, walking, or spreading awareness – honors not just my father, but every person in our South Orange County community who has faced this disease with courage.
Visit act.alz.org/goto/jimk to join our Home Instead South Orange Counties team. Together, we can break records, break barriers, and break new ground in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
Because at my Home Instead office, we don't just care for today – we work toward a better tomorrow for our entire community.
Ready to join our team? Visit act.alz.org/goto/jimk today. For questions about the walk or our participation, contact me directly at Home Instead South Orange County.
