Sturges Ridge Goes Purple for Alzheimer's Awareness

Fairfield, CT - Alzheimer’s disease impacts nearly six million Americans and 200,000 individuals and caregivers in Connecticut. A person’s risk of developing the disease roughly doubles every five years after their 65th birthday.

To help raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association as part of “The Longest Day” annual campaign, Sturges Ridge of Fairfield, an assisted living community in Fairfield, Conn., debuted a resident art gallery and fundraiser on June 21. The campaign is an extension of the community’s mission of elevating human connection and keeping its residents, their family members and associates connected to what matters most in their lives. Benchmark is a national partner of the Alzheimer’s Association and raised more than $80,000 for Alzheimer’s research and education in 2018.

“Alzheimer’s disease affects many of our residents and their family members as well as our friends and neighbors in the areas we serve,” says Frank Boasorte, executive director of Sturges Ridge. “Every single day we work to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s and dementia, so there is no better time than the longest day of the year to raise awareness and money for this important cause.”

On Friday, Sturges Ridge debuted an art gallery to sell paintings, other artwork and crafts, created mostly by the community’s Mind & Memory residents, with the goal of raising $1,000. The gallery is an extension of Sturges Ridge’s effective art therapy program, which enhances the quality of life for those with dementia because it improves symptoms of the disorder. Attendees also enjoyed entertainment and goodies.

Many of Benchmark’s 58 independent living, assisted living and memory care communities located throughout the Northeast participated in “The Longest Day” to help reach Benchmark’s corporate goal of raising $100,000 in 2019 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information about Sturges Ridge of Fairfield, click here.