By Susan Lazarchick & Jill Reinheimer, Care Coordinators
For many families in our community, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are deeply personal. They affect not only the person living with the disease, but also spouses, children, grandchildren, friends and caregivers who walk alongside them.
This October, our community has an opportunity to come together in support of those families at the 2026 Berks County Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
2026 Berks County Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Berks County Heritage Center
1102 Red Bridge Road
Reading, PA 19605
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Promise Garden Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.
Walk begins: Approximately 9:50 a.m.
Walk distance: Approximately 2 miles
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings together people of all ages who have been touched by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Some walk in honor of someone currently living with dementia. Others walk in memory of someone they have lost. Caregivers, professionals, friends and community members also participate simply to show their support.
One of the most meaningful parts of the morning is the Promise Garden Ceremony. Participants carry flowers representing their personal connection to Alzheimer’s and dementia, creating a visible reminder of just how many lives are touched by these diseases.
For families navigating dementia, that sense of community matters. Caregiving can sometimes feel isolating, particularly as needs increase and difficult decisions about safety, care, housing and long-term planning begin to arise. Events like the Walk remind families that they are not navigating this journey alone.
Jill and I work closely with individuals living with dementia and the family members caring for them. We see firsthand the love, uncertainty and often tremendous responsibility that accompany the caregiving journey.
Whether you walk for someone you love, in memory of someone you miss, or simply to support families in our community, the Berks County Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a wonderful opportunity to come together for a shared purpose!
Saturday, October 17. Put on your walking shoes, wear your purple, and join our Berks County community as we walk together.
See you there!
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