The Morrison Bridge will get a temporary makeover Friday — the longest day of the year — as part of the Alzheimer’s Association of Oregon’s efforts to honor the 76,000 Oregonians living Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Purple lights, reflecting the primary color of the organization’s logo, will bathe the 55-year-old bridge during evening hours.
The Oregon chapter’s staff members and supporters, meanwhile, plan to walk around the city for 16 straight hours in an effort to replicate the care provided in any 24-hour period by the estimated 166,000 Alzheimer’s caregivers in the state.
Dubbed “The Longest Day,” the event is intended to bring hope and awareness to often-weary caregivers, said Tracy Morgan, Oregon chapter development director.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this,” Morgan said. “We are very excited to see how it all goes.”
Nationally, some 700 Alzheimer’s chapters will be doing something to honor caregivers and their families, she said.
More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers reported suffering “high” or “very high” rates of emotional stress, Morgan said. Last year, the resulting physical and emotional toll of that stress added up to $9.1 billion in additional health care costs of their own.
-- Dana Tims
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