Watching someone you love navigate Alzheimer’s disease can be heartbreaking. It can also be isolating for the caregiver and may lead to feelings of helplessness. Participating in an Alzheimer’s walk is a way to take action, feel empowered, and connect with others.

Discover a few facts and tips that can help you decide whether joining a walk for Alzheimer’s disease may be right for you.

What Is an Alzheimer’s Walk?

An Alzheimer’s walk is a fundraising event that brings people together to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care and research while creating a supportive community for caregivers, family members, and everyone who understands life with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In the U.S., the Alzheimer’s Association hosts an annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in more than 600 communities nationwide. These walks are generally 1 to 3 miles, and there is no cost to participate, although fundraising is encouraged. To find your local walk, visit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s website — alz.org/walk — and search by state or zip code.

If you live outside the U.S., look for an Alzheimer’s organization near you. In the UK, for example, the Alzheimer’s Society hosts an annual Memory Walk in multiple communities. The walk raises funds for dementia support and research. A quick internet search for “Alzheimer’s walk” and your city or country should help you find your nearest walk.

Benefits of Participating in an Alzheimer’s Walk

When you participate in an Alzheimer’s walk, you’re helping to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s research and support while also bringing in money for the cause. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 350,000 participants raised $100 million through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2024. But there are other benefits, too.

One member of myALZteam shared, “It was a beautiful day for a walk, but not just any walk. We celebrated the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Most of the time, I feel so helpless when it comes to dealing with this disease. On a day like today, when strangers become friends, and friends and family come together to support a cause, I feel like I am actually contributing to something.”

Another member said, “We need to do our part for Alzheimer’s awareness. The walk is becoming a passion for me. I can’t just sit back and watch this disease slowly destroy my mum. The heartbreak is pushing me to do something for the cause!”

Several members of myALZteam said they participate in an Alzheimer’s Association walk with family and friends every year because it’s an inspiring event. Some have been team captains and top fundraisers. Others volunteer on walk day.

An Alzheimer’s walk is a chance to come together as a community and support others navigating Alzheimer’s while making the world a better place for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive disorders.

How To Fundraise for an Alzheimer’s Walk

Raising funds for an Alzheimer’s walk is an integral part of the experience. If you’ve never fundraised before, that’s not a problem. The Alzheimer’s Association provides fundraising tips and tools to support your fundraising efforts and help you succeed.

Online Fundraising

When you sign up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, you’ll automatically get access to a participant center. This is your online walk hub. In addition to providing important updates and information about the walk, your participant center includes a fundraising webpage.

Start by personalizing your fundraising page with photos. Also, share your reasons for walking. Are you participating in the walk to support or honor a loved one? If you’re comfortable doing so, post a photo of the two of you together and share who they are and why they matter to you. Knowing why this event is so personal for you may inspire people to give — and give big.

Next, set a fundraising goal. You can choose a number that’s meaningful to you or aim to hit one of the fundraising milestones suggested by the Alzheimer’s Association. If you raise at least $500, you’ll earn a spot in the Champions Club. If you raise $1,000 or more, you’ll be a Grand Champion. When you reach $2,500, you become an Elite Grand Champion. To learn more about fundraising incentives and prizes, visit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising page.

Some people like to start with a lofty fundraising goal. Others feel more comfortable setting a smaller goal and increasing it each time they reach the next milestone. It’s easy to adjust your fundraising goal through your participant center.

Once you’ve personalized your walk website, share the link with friends, family members, co-workers, and everyone you know. They can click that link and donate directly to support your fundraising efforts.

Fundraising Tips

The Alzheimer’s Association provides a fundraising guide that includes information about hosting game nights, ice cream socials, lemonade stands, and other events that put the “fun” in fundraising. Be creative. If you have a special hobby or interest, think about how you can tie that into your fundraising efforts.

Here are a few more fundraising tips:

• Post weekly updates on social media, and include the link to your fundraising page.
• Send pre-written emails from your participant center.
• Donate to yourself to show people how committed you are.
• Ask your employer if they offer a matching gifts program.
• Download the ALZ fundraising app (a mobile app to support your fundraising efforts).
• Start a Facebook fundraiser to expand your reach.
• Send follow-up emails to remind people to donate as the fundraising deadline approaches.

A fundraising best practice is to send a thank-you email or text as soon as someone donates. Some people also send handwritten thank-you notes or tag donors on social media. This not only makes your donors feel appreciated (which they are!), but it may also inspire them to donate again next year.

For more fundraising information, visit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

What To Expect on Walk Day

In the days and weeks leading up to your Alzheimer’s walk, the staff or volunteer committee will email directions, parking information, a schedule of events, and other important details. You should also be able to find this information in your participant center.

When you arrive at the event, look for the check-in area. Even if you registered online, some local walks want you to check in on walk day so they know who is there. You may also need to sign a waiver.

At most Alzheimer’s Association walks, if you raise $100 at least four weeks before the event, you will earn a walk T-shirt. You can often pick that up at the check-in table. At larger events, there may be a separate T-shirt pick-up area. Look for signs or ask a volunteer where to go.

You don’t have to be part of a team to participate in an Alzheimer’s walk, but if you’re walking with family members, friends, or your Alzheimer’s support group, you may find it meaningful to create a team name that reflects why you’re walking. Some teams create matching T-shirts, buttons, and other items to wear. If you decide to form a walk team, make a plan for where you will meet on walk day. The area next to the check-in table or starting line is generally a good option. Some events provide a team meet-up area.

Before or after the walk, there may be a short program where top fundraisers receive awards, someone from the local community shares why they’re walking, and more. Most Alzheimer’s events also have other activities and booths to explore.

The Promise Garden is a must-visit experience at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In this area, volunteers will help you select a Promise Flower that signifies your connection to the disease.

The colors mean:

• Blue — I am living with Alzheimer’s.
• Purple — I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s.
• Yellow — I am caring for or supporting someone who has Alzheimer’s.
• Orange — I support the cause and envision a world free from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Some events also include a white flower, which signifies hope for a cure.

Once you select your flower or flowers, you will have an opportunity to write a personal note on it before planting it in the garden. Your note could be the name of a loved one, a favorite quote, or something else that is meaningful to you.

As more people visit the garden on walk day, the area fills up with flowers, becoming a beautiful and unifying display of everyone’s reasons for participating in the Alzheimer’s walk. The Promise Garden is a visible reminder of why Alzheimer’s fundraising and awareness are so essential.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease.

Have you participated in an Alzheimer’s walk? Share your experience in the comments below or on your Activities page.