On Sunday, hundreds of Flathead Valley residents will participate in the Kalispell Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event is one of hundreds that will take place across the country “to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Registration for the walk begins at 1 p.m. at Flathead Valley Community College; the walk is at 2 p.m.

The walk holds special importance for first-time walker Kathryn Eskestrand, whose father Fred Hartson has been dealing with the disease for approximately 15 years.

“We’ve been involved with Alzheimer’s for so many years,” Eskestrand related. Her father lives in The Springs memory care unit in Whitefish, so when someone from The Springs suggested she join the walk, she felt it would be an important way to help others in her position.

“We decided to get in there and see if we can’t get some help for other people,” she said.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease, which is primarily characterized by memory loss and confusion.

“It’s sad,” Eskestrand said, to watch her father’s cognitive functions degenerate over time due to this progressive condition. “The best way for me to explain it is to think of his brain as a tree full of leaves. Leaves start to drop off, and the leaves represent memories, family and friends. As each leaf drops he loses some of that until all you have is bare branches.”

“Dad’s not Dad anymore,” she said candidly.

Over the years, Eskestrand said The Springs’ support group and family members have helped her through this difficult situation, and she believes participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s with her husband, sister and brother-in-law will be a significant addition to her experience dealing the disease. She reported she’s “looking forward to it” because “it’s important that people are raising awareness.”

She hopes the event can help those affected by Alzheimer’s to better understand how the disease impacts loved ones and the best ways they can help. She said it’s important for loved ones to realize that although it can be frustrating to hear someone tell the same story over and over again, “they need to understand these people are lost. They just need to sit, smile and listen.”

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, although there are treatments to address some symptoms, and facilities such as The Springs to help take care of those with the disease. Eskestrand explained for the friends and family members of Alzheimer’s patients, “there’s not anything you can do except be there for” them.

Eskestrand also believes the walk is an important event even for people who are not directly affected by the disease. “If it doesn’t touch your life,” it can be hard to understand this prevalent condition or become involved in efforts to help, she explained.

But, she pointed out, “more and more people are going to be affected by it” as the population of people over 65 increases. By encouraging others to get involved in the walk and raising funds for Alzheimer’s research, she hopes to “see if we can slow it.”

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.