With nearly three decades of serving people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and working with their caregivers, Melanie K. Perry hopes to have a meaningful impact as the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana Chapter.
Perry is director of Memory Care Support Services for American Senior Communities and was responsible for creating and implementing ASC’s memory care program — Auguste’s Cottage — offered at most of the 90 communities ASC operates throughout Indiana.
She is recognized as a memory care expert nationally and was recently named as one of four distinguished educators of the year by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer.
Perry said she hopes to be a practical voice on the board and a support to the organization’s new Chapter Executive Natalie Sutton, who has a decade of experience directing in-field based national health organizations and joined the Alzheimer’s Association last year.
“This appointment is an excellent opportunity to make a difference,” said Perry. “It is also a wonderful way to remain abreast of the latest innovations in memory care that can be of support to Auguste’s Cottages operated by American Senior Communities.”
Perry holds two master’s degrees, one in general psychology from the University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne and the other in mental health counseling, with an emphasis in gerontology, from Nova Southeastern University.
She has been a frequent speaker at the Alzheimer’s Association’s state conferences, as well as other industry regional and state conferences. She chairs the Education Committee for the Indiana Person Directed Care Coalition.
The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter provides services in 73 Indiana Counties and is administered by the Board of Directors and a staff in three offices. More than 450 Alzheimer’s Association volunteers provide support and education programs statewide.
The organization raises funds to support research and innovations that may cure the disease. It also provides support to those living with Alzheimer’s disease and to their caregivers through educational opportunities and support groups.
In addition to fundraising, a significant area of focus for the organization is the support of clinical trials through recruiting and retaining trial participants, including individuals with dementia, their caregivers and healthy volunteers.
The association participates in TrialMatch®, which is a project of the national Alzheimer’s Association that matches those interested in participating in studies with research projects.
Since 1982, the association nationally has invested over $410 million in nearly 2,700 scientific investigations. In FY2017, the organization raised more than $332 million, most of which came from individuals, foundations and membership organizations.
American Senior Communities participates annually in fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association. To learn more about American Senior Communities and its Auguste’s Cottage program, please visit www.ASCCare.com.
