Instead, we have chosen some of the top charities and organizations in the United States based on their size, financial data, and scope of services provided. Find out how you can make a difference.

Some of their events include:

The Longest Day: An annual call on June 21 (recognized as the longest day of the year) to remember and advocate for those with Alzheimer’s who often feel like many days are very long. The Walk for Alzheimer’s: Here you’re encouraged to get donors to sponsor a community walk for Alzheimer’s in September each year.

The ABF’s goal is simple but lofty: “cure brain disease.” They have already directed more than $24 million for research on several types of brain disease, including Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, stroke, autism, brain tumors, headaches, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and multiple sclerosis. 

Brain Pavers, an ABF program, helps facilitate the involvement of the community and social media in fundraising efforts by choosing an activity, such as car washes, concerts, bake sales, birthdays, and runs/walks, to promote sponsored donations.

CAF has contributed more than $50 million to research. They work to raise money by seeking partnerships, holding fundraising events like golf tournaments and a ride for the cure, and sourcing donations from others interested in funding research.

AFA seeks to provide resources to dementia caregivers, including family education, free memory screening services, dementia care training for professionals, and support groups nationwide.

More than 2,600 organizations have an AFA membership which demonstrates their commitment to quality Alzheimer’s care and ongoing education in the field. AFA provides grants to organizations to further programs directed to dementia care and support, too.

In addition to the research they conduct, FCARF provides educational resources through their website, publishes a quarterly magazine called Preserving Your Memory, and uses the majority of their donations to partner with many other national and international researchers who share similar goals.

As opposed to limiting their focus to medication, ARPF strongly emphasizes holistic and integrative medicine. Their education consists of informing communities and professionals about strategies for brain health today as well as dementia prevention for the future.

Diet Physical exercise Stress management Spiritual fitness

Alzheimer’s disease Macular degeneration Glaucoma

It has provided more than $100 million in research grants for Alzheimer’s, more than $21 million for macular degeneration research, and more than $28 million for glaucoma research. It has been in existence since 1973. Until a few years ago, however, Bright Focus was called the American Health Assistance Foundation.

In addition to dedicating funding for research, Bright Focus works to raise awareness and provide education and support for those affected by brain or eye disease and their caregivers. They regularly hold events, such as awards dinners, to honor researchers and highlight the work they’re doing on brain and eye diseases.

LBDA was initially organized by family caregivers of people living with the condition. While many people are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, the LBDA works to increase awareness and support of LBD since it is a disease that is much less known or understood.

Located in Huntington Beach, CA, their mission is to serve the residents of this area who are living with dementia by offering a day care program that is strategically designed to enrich the lives of its participants.

They also provide caregiver support via a helpline and community education either online or through educational programs such as its Mind Booster series. Donations are used to support the direct care programs and caregiver support services they offer.

Their goal is to provide meaningful activities for older adults with dementia and to ensure the individual’s family members are supported as caregivers. Also, they offer social work services to family members to help maintain their well-being in addition to respite care and other educational resources.

In particular, there has been an under-representation of minorities (including Latinx and Black) in research study participants, yet these populations have a higher risk of dementia. Cognitively intact volunteers are also needed for certain trials as well.

Participating in clinical trials is important so that we can learn how effective new medications and treatment approaches might be as well as continue to deepen our understanding of what truly causes Alzheimer’s and related dementias to develop.

Be sure to discuss this option with your physician and your loved ones in order to make an informed decision about your participation.

Contact the activities director to set up a monthly program or just drop by to play the piano. You can choose to visit someone living with dementia regularly, whether they’re still living in their own home or in a facility.

If you have young children or work at a school or child day care center, make arrangements to visit the residents of a dementia unit or adult daycare center. When children interact with adults with dementia, both groups of people benefit significantly.

Donating money, time, or other gifts is one way we can work together and stand united against Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.