City of Scottsdale Proclamation 2023.

In October 2023, I reached out to the Mayor of Scottsdale, David Ortega, with a message that was deeply personal to me. I explained that Arizona has the fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the country. Over 150,000 Arizonans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, making it the fourth leading cause of death in our state. Even more staggering, more than 261,000 Arizonans are providing over 511 million hours of unpaid care to their loved ones battling this disease.

I wanted to bring attention to these numbers because they reflect the very real, human struggle happening all around us. I urged the mayor that it’s not only vital to support those living with Alzheimer’s but also their caregivers, and that more awareness is desperately needed in our community, as caregivers are so often overlooked.

On October 17, 2023, I walked into Scottsdale City Hall and proudly picked up my Proclamation certificate. Mayor Ortega had officially declared November 2023 as Alzheimer’s and Caregivers Month in Scottsdale. It was such an overwhelming moment, knowing that this important issue would receive the attention it deserves.

There is truly no greater feeling than being able to give back to our community and raise awareness for a cause so close to my heart. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to the framing store to proudly display this moment in my office!

With love,
Ashley