Alzheimer's Association gets hundreds from Three Degree Guarantee donation

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - One charity benefiting from the Three Degree Guarantee give-away makes a difference for patients with Alzheimer's Disease and their families.

The Alzheimer's Association provides a number of services and resources 24 hours a day and for one local man he says one outreach really stuck with him.

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Russ Beimler is now living alone after 45 years of marriage to his wife, Joan. He says about 10 years ago he started noticing she was struggling to remember things and soon after doctors diagnosed Joan with Alzheimer's disease.

He says the most helpful resource he's used offered by the Alzheimer's Association is the caregiver's support group.

"It's as hideous disease. It affects families. I'm without a companion now," Beimler said. "She's there and I'm here and I'm living alone. It's my first Christmas alone.  I went to lunch with a guy today who's part of a support group and it's his first Christmas alone."

Beimler says a popular question asked at the support group meetings is - when do you know it's time for respite care?

He and Joan faced that difficult decision and she's now in a local facility.

The $767 Three Degree Guarantee donation to the Alzheimer's Association will help support the resources the non-profit offers patients and their families.