At the Bigfork Senior Center, there are very few people who haven’t been touched by Alzheimer’s disease, haven’t watched a loved one fade away before their eyes.  

Volunteer Jennifer Chapman cared for her aunt in Texas after she was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing iteration of the disease, until it reached the point that Chapman’s aunt no longer recognized her and had to be placed in a memory care facility.  

Senior Center Vice President Lianna Orsolini’s father-in-law died of Alzheimer’s last month. And board president Bruce Peck could only watch as the disease claimed his sister, who was in her 70s.  

This year, the Bigfork Senior Center is participating for the first time in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, setting an ambitious fundraising goal of $10,000. The walk takes place on Oct. 3 in Kalispell, and the center has already raised nearly 20% of its goal.  

The stories at the center aren’t just anecdotes – there are more than 7.4 million Americans over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s, per statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association. The disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. 

In the Flathead Valley, more than 2,000 people have Alzheimer’s, or close to 10% of the county’s population above the age of 65, according to the Association’s Montana chapter. In Montana, 18,000 caregivers provide approximately 26 million hours of unpaid care. 

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that causes brain cells to die and the brain to shrink, leading to memory loss that becomes more pronounced over time and impacts a person’s ability to complete even the most mundane tasks. 

But the disease encompasses much more than just memory loss, Chapman said. Watching her aunt suffer from the disease, she realized that it manifests in physical ways. After three years of caring for her aunt, she hardly recognized her as the same woman who used to dress in bright colors and flash the most contagious smile.  

Chapman played a video of her aunt, tears at the corners of her eyes even though she had already seen it. 

“If Jenny was here right now in front of you, what would you say to her?” Chapman’s cousin asked on the video. 

“Who are you?” Chapman’s aunt asked with a puzzled expression. 

“It’s the longest goodbye,” Chapman said of the cruel disease. She could do nothing but watch as her aunt slipped away. 

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some medications improve symptoms or slow decline, but options are limited. In 2026, Alzheimer’s is projected to cost the country $409 billion, and that number is expected to rise to $1 trillion by 2050.  

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, put on by the Alzheimer’s Association, is the world’s largest event raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care and research. The walk is held in more than 600 communities across the country, including in Kalispell.  

There is no fee to participate, although fundraising is encouraged. Half of the funds raised stay in Montana to support those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, while the other half is funneled through the national organization to research projects searching for a cure.  

“Money is important, but I also believe that participation is important because then it brings the information forward,” Chapman said. "This is a disease, and it is a bad one. The more information we get out there, the more research that gets done. I let people know if you just want to donate $5 or $500, that's wonderful. But I also want people to try to be present for the walk.” 

The Bigfork Senior Center is sponsoring a team for the walk and encourages any individuals, families, churches, civic organizations and community groups in Bigfork to join the team, walk with the Senior Center, make a pledge and spread the word. 

The Kalispell Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Lawrence Park in Kalispell. The pre-event festivities kick off at 10 a.m., and the opening ceremony is at 11 a.m., with the walk to follow.  

The Bigfork Senior Center will wear purple, the color of Alzheimer’s awareness. Orsolini and Chapman will be rocking purple tutus and tiaras in support of their own loved ones who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s.  

To join or support the Bigfork Senior Center team, reach out to Jennifer Chapman at 406-309-1862 or [email protected].

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.