‘BRAIN BUS’ VISITS KEYS BUY LOCAL, PLANT LOCAL

KEY WEST TROPICAL FOREST & BOTANICAL GARDEN HOSTS PLANT SALE JUNE 17

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION PROVIDES FREE SUPPORT SERVICES

This month, the Alzheimer’s Association “Brain Bus” will make several stops in the Florida Keys to provide free support services to families facing this disease.

Currently, more than 11% of Monroe County residents age 65 and up are living with Alzheimer’s. Trained staff will be available at the bus to help families understand steps to get an accurate diagnosis, warning signs, caregiving tips and connect to local resources. No appointment is needed.

As part of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, the Brain Bus will host free programs at each stop to share information on how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Research shows making changes in what you eat, your activity levels and how you engage your brain all affect risk for the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The number of Floridians living with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to 720,000 by 2025, a 24% increase since 2020.

“Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,” said Joe Baledelomar, Brain Bus program manager. “It’s vital that all Floridians know the warning signs of the disease so they can get an accurate diagnosis and access to treatment options as soon as possible. We are here to serve the community and hope those who need help stop by.”

Unique to Florida, the Brain Bus program is managed by the Alzheim-

Brain Bus schedule er’s Association Florida chapters and funded in partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas. Two vehicles travel the state providing dementia education and resources to at-risk and heavily impacted communities.

• Friday, June 9: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Key Largo Branch Library, 101485 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. Healthy living program at 11 a.m.

• Saturday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at East Winds Apartments, 240 Sombrero Beach, Marathon. Healthy living program at 12 p.m.

• Monday, June 12: 6 to 9 p.m. at Bernstein Park, 6751 5th Street, Stock Island. Healthy living program at 7 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 13: 1 to 4 p.m. at Bahama Village, 111 Olivia Street, Key West. Healthy living program at 2 p.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association

Southeast Florida Chapter works in eight counties to provide education and support, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia and advance critical research to develop new treatments, prevention and a cure.

For more information, including upcoming programs and support groups, call 800-272-3900 or visit alz. org/SEFL.

The native plant nursery at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, 5210 College Road on Stock Island, will hold its monthly native plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 17. Master gardeners will be on site to answer any plant questions and plants that are available for sale are listed on the garden’s website.

The June sale will feature 25% off Florida privet (Forestiera segregata) in 3-gallon pots.

The nursery on College Road contains 160 species of native plants available includ- ing native and Cuban palms, tomato and pepper plants. The nursery inventory totals more than 2,000 plants that attract birds, butterflies and other pollinators in one- to 15-gallon pots.

Key West Botanical Garden members receive a 15% discount. The garden is a nonprofit organization and all proceeds directly benefit its conservation program.

More information is at 305296-1504 or keywest.garden.

— Contributed