by Jim Gall, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair and Owner of Right at Home

Chances are, Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia has impacted someone you know. It’s estimated that about one in nine people age 65 and older has dementia, with the risk rising sharply with age—nearly one-third of those 85 and older are affected.

In Michigan, more than 202,800 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. They are supported by 422,000 family caregivers who provide 682 million hours of unpaid care valued at $16.3 billion.

These numbers hit close to home in the Tri-Cities, including Midland and surrounding areas, where thousands of families face the daily challenges of memory loss, behavioral changes, and the heavy emotional and financial toll of caregiving.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the individual — it strains entire families, workplaces, and communities across the region. “Alzheimer’s impacts not only those who have the disease, but also their family and friends,” said Jim Gall, owner of Right at Home and long-time Midland Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee member. “I’ve personally experienced this with my family and with the many families we have helped over the last 14+ years. Caregiving for someone with this disease can cause tremendous strain, and families need help.”

Fortunately, the Alzheimer’s Association provides critical support through education, 24/7 helplines, support groups, care consultations, and funding for research aimed at slowing, stopping, and ultimately curing this disease. A major way they raise funds and awareness is through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s — the world’s largest event to fight Alzheimer’s!

Midland has hosted a Walk to End Alzheimer’s for over 20 years and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause, making a real difference right here in the Tri-Cities.
This year’s walk is on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Dow Diamond in Midland. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by the walk. The route starts at Dow Diamond, heads along the river to the Tridge, up to Main Street, and back to Dow Diamond.

Whether you walk, cheer from the sidelines, or fundraise, your participation matters. Join the fight to create a world without Alzheimer’s — right here in our community. Please register yourself or a team today at alz.org/walk (search for “Midland” by putting in your zip code) or reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter for more information. Every step and every dollar brings us closer to a cure. Let’s make this year’s Midland Walk our strongest yet!