DAYTON, Ohio — Five in-person Walk to End Alzheimer's events will be held in the Miami Valley this year to raise awareness about the disease.

Last year, nearly 2,000 more people with dementia died in Ohio because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

In addition, the pandemic placed additional stress on caregivers who for months could not see their loved ones in long-term care facilities or could not utilize services like in-home aides and adult day care services due to the fear of their loved one contracting COVID, officials said.

“This year has been extremely stressful for all and that’s why our efforts to raise money for care and support for local families are so critical,” said Karen Carter, vice president of development for the Miami Valley Alzheimer’s Association, in a press release. “This Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be extra special because we now have a treatment for Alzheimer’s and we can come together to help each other.”

Carter said officials decided to host in-person events this year because meeting in person allows for "an exceptionally moving experience that can be accomplished as COVID restrictions loosen."

More than 30,000 people in the Miami Valley live with the fatal progressive brain disease and 100,000 families and friends care for them, officials said.

The dates for this year’s Walks are:

  • Miami County Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Sept. 18
  • Shelby County Walk to End Alzheimer’s  - Sept. 25
  • Darke County Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Sept. 25
  • The Springfield/Urbana Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Oct. 2
  • Dayton Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Oct. 9

On the day of the walk, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the Promise Garden ceremony, which signifies solidarity in the fight against the disease, according to a press release.

The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease, according to a press release.

For more information about the Walk to End Alzheimer's events in the Miami Valley, click here.