The Empowered Caregiver Series

The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is the leading volunteer health organization in Alzheimer’s disease care.

Serving 87 counties in Illinois, with offices in Bloomington, Chicago, Joliet, Peoria, Quincy, Rockford, Springfield and Southern Illinois. Since 1980, the Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes across the state.

In 1979, nine Chicagoland families with personal connections to dementia found there were little care and support resources available for those affected with Alzheimer’s disease. After meeting with National Institute on Aging – they founded, what later became known as the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter – a volunteer-driven, self-help organization offering information and support to those affected.

Six years later, in 1986, a group of Peoria-area activists and geriatric health professionals, seeking similar information, established the Geriatric Network, laying the foundation for the Central Illinois Chapter’s affiliation with the National Alzheimer’s Association in 1987.

Since then, our chapters have accomplished many successes together. Last year, our advocates helped secure the largest increase in federal Alzheimer’s disease research funding in history and our request for $400 million increase in the FY17 funding bill. The Alzheimer’s Association has also invested over $375 million dollars into active research projects around globe, including $12 million in funding to Illinois based researchers. While staying on the peak of cutting edge research we offer free educational programs across the state, 24/7 helpline, support groups and online message boards.

Today, our chapters have combined resources to become the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. We serve the nearly one million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease, including 220,000 people with the disease, throughout our chapter area.

We are committed to accelerating the progress of new treatments, care, preventative measures and ultimately, finding a cure.

Our Mission

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

Our Vision

A world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.