In last month’s column, I shared a little about my father in Switzerland. He is in good physical health, but he is living with memory loss. For me and my family, this is something very personal.

Many of you have similar experiences. A parent, a spouse, a friend or a neighbor begins to have difficulty with their memory. Families find themselves facing questions they may never have considered before. What comes next? Where can we find help? How can we best care for someone we love?

These questions matter to me as a son. They also matter to us at Avalon Park Group.

At Encore, our Assisted Living and Memory Care community here in Avalon Park, approximately two-thirds of our residents live with memory disorders. Our team cares for these residents and works alongside their families every day. We see how much patience, understanding and dedication this requires. We also see how important it is for caregivers to have support themselves.

When we began developing Avalon Park more than 30 years ago, our vision was to create a town where people could live, learn, work and play throughout the different stages of life. Encore is an important part of that vision. As our community grows, so does our responsibility to understand and respond to the needs of the people who call it home.

That is why I am pleased that Avalon Park Group is building a lasting partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association.

I recently joined the Association’s board, and I have accepted the role of Chair of the Orlando Walk in 2027. My father is one of the reasons for this commitment. Our residents at Encore and their families are another.

We believe in this organization and its work. Research is essential if we are going to make progress against Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, people living with memory disorders and their caregivers need information, guidance and care today. Both deserve our attention and support.

On Saturday, October 3, our Avalon Park team will join the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Lake Eola. I would like to personally invite you to walk with us or support our team with a donation.

The walk is the beginning of a much larger effort.

Over the next year, you will see our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association incorporated into different Avalon Park events and festivals. These gatherings already bring thousands of people together. They give us a wonderful opportunity to share information, introduce resources and raise funds for research, care and support.

A family enjoying a festival may also learn where to turn for help with a parent’s memory loss. A local business may find a way to support fundraising. A resident may learn more about brain health and steps that can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. These are practical ways our community can contribute.

Over the years, I have learned that good partnerships begin with shared values and grow through people willing to do the work. The Alzheimer’s Association brings knowledge, resources and a commitment to this cause. Avalon Park brings a community of residents, businesses and organizations who have shown, time and again, that they care about their neighbors.

I believe we can accomplish a great deal together.

Please join us on October 3, and look for opportunities to participate throughout the coming year. You can walk, donate, volunteer or help us bring more people into the conversation.

For my father, for our residents at Encore and for the many families facing these challenges, I am grateful that Avalon Park can be part of this effort.