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DES Staff Attend 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's, Spread Awareness of Support and Services

  • three women hold signs in support of the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's
    DAAS Community Outreach Liaisons Pat Moodie-Brown and Dawn Dishman (left and center) and Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Lisa Pollock, (right) hold signs in support of the cause.
  • three women smile for the camera
    Lisa Pollock (left), Pat Moodie-Brown (center) and Dawn Dishman (right) worked together to inform the public about free DAAS services.
  • four people at a booth
    Lisa Pollock (far back, black shirt) was one of three DAAS staff available to answer questions about DAAS services.
  • people wearing purple t-shirts and tutus
    Attendees at the DAAS booth with Dawn Dishman (left). Attendees formed teams with themes.
  • three women dressed in purple
    DAAS employees Dawn Dishman (left) and Pat Moodie-Brown (center) formed connections and had conversations with attendees. This attendee (right) wore a purple tutu to support her team.

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) staff connected with more than 300 people last Saturday during the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. Hosted by the Alzheimer's Association, the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's raises funds to further the care, support and research efforts of the organization. More than 12,000 people attended and 4,200 walked to raise nearly $900,000 to advance these efforts.

The event commenced with a flower ceremony. Each person who registered for the event received a Promise Garden flower, choosing one of four colors: orange signifying a community supporter who is not directly affected by Alzheimer's; yellow symbolizing a caregiver; purple for someone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer's or related dementias, and blue for someone living with the disease.  There is one additional white flower on display that represents hope for the future for Alzheimer's survivors.

In addition to the mission to support the Walk to End Alzheimer's, it also provides an opportunity  to highlight important services provided by DAAS and its community partners. Alongside long-term care providers, health care groups, and companies supporting families, DAAS Community Outreach Liaisons, Pat Moodie-Brown and Dawn Dishman, and Lisa Pollock, who serves as the Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman, educated attendees about the many aging services available to older Arizonans and their families and caregivers. They also had the opportunity to share more about the SpeakUpAZ.org campaign, which educates the public about how to identify, prevent and report abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.

Lisa has volunteered for the walk for several years and in multiple states. She believes the opportunity to spread awareness by word of mouth to thousands of people who are affected by Alzheimer's is incredibly valuable.

"That's just the most amazing thing about the walk," said Lisa. "It shows that you are not alone."

The free programs that DAAS offers include home and community-based services that allow many individuals to remain in their homes or live with families; workshops to educate people and caregivers for individuals with chronic health conditions; legal services that focus on the needs of older adults; family caregiver support programs; and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which investigates complaints relating to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes. DAAS also includes Adult Protective Services (APS), which investigates allegations of abuse, exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults.

"Even if someone doesn't know about our services right now, we still want to educate them," said Lisa. "They might need services later on, or know someone who needs our services."

In addition to the Alzheimer's Association's research efforts and care programs, the funds raised also support a 24-hour phone hotline that is available in multiple languages. The hotline can provide support, answer questions, and guide callers to resources in order to help them navigate this difficult road. The hotline number is 1-800-272-3900. Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association.

November 8, 2023
Bettina Adragna
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