Our Mission
IN 2001, Bruce & Gregg Johnson, life-long Reading residents and co-owners of Lee Kimball of Winchester (www.leekimball.com) created the David K. Johnson Foundation in honor of their parents to promote awareness and support for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive aging diseases.
We are very fortunate to have grown up in a wonderful, loving family atmosphere. Unfortunately, our father, David Johnson, was diagnosed with a progressive dementia at the age of 60 and we lost our mother, Susan Johnson, at the age of 64.
We want to promote and to keep alive the “life lessons” we have learned from our parents. As we share these values with our children, David and Susan’s grandchildren, we felt that there was a message that could be shared with others as well.
“Life Lessons”
Helping Others sounds simple. It is. Over the years, we have had an enormous amount of support from family and friends throughout our community. When a family member is afflicted with one of these diseases, the help from others is essential to their quality of life.
Love, Support and Faith are the foundation of any family relationship. When a family is afflicted with progressive dementia or a related disease, anger is a normal feeling. Stress can also become overwhelming, resulting in a great test to the family bond. For some, it is harder than others. We believe that we have a responsibility to support others by sharing our own experiences.
Having Fun is a basic part of life. This is a part of life that those individuals with the disease and their family caregivers often miss. We strive to make our events and fundraiser's fun occasions. We think that this will contribute to the success of the foundation and to the well being of the people in which it serves.
David K. Johnson Foundation Charities
Proceeds from DKJ Foundation events benefit Sanborn Place & Home Care of Reading, Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the David & Susan Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
Sanborn Place, Home Care & Day Services
Whether you are looking for a supportive living community or home care services, Sanborn Place, Home Care & Day Services offer an array of services for one to age in a place they call home. Sanborn Place is a 73 unit supportive living community for the elderly and/or those with disabilities, located in Reading, MA. Sanborn Home Care is the sister corporation to Sanborn Place, dedicated to providing high quality home care services to the elderly and/or disabled. Sanborn Adult Day Services, located in Wakefield, MA, services both the residents of Sanborn Place and the outlying communities.
Sanborn receives its funding primarily through donations. While some patients are private pay, many are not. Government funding is available to those who qualify, but as with many other programs, the funding often falls short.
Sanborn Place is expanding its facilities and donations raised through the David K. Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament will help with expansion costs. For more information on Sanborn Place, Home Care & Day Services and their various programs, please log on to www.sanbornphc.org
David & Susan Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund
In March of 2004, the David & Susan Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to help support the mission of the David K. Johnson Foundation.
The scholarship fund will provide financial assistance to a Reading High School student pursuing a career in home health care or the medical field. The scholarship fund is managed by the Reading Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Based upon need, they will annually select a student to receive the scholarship.
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The Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH Chapter
Facts About Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.
Our mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our vision: A world without Alzheimer’s disease.
The Association’s nationwide organization, founded in 1980 by a group of family caregivers, includes the national office in Chicago, the public policy office in Washington, D.C., and chapters in local communities, such as the Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter, located in Watertown, MA.
We are here to help
The Alzheimer’s Association is a leading source of information, education and support for millions of individuals, caregivers and care professionals who face dementia every day.
• Our 24/7 Helpline (1.800.272.3900) can help you with a variety of issues, including treatments and clinical trials; care strategies; and legal, financial and housing decisions.
• Our award-winning Web site at www.alz.org is a rich resource that helps inform and educate our diverse audiences.
• MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® is our 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia that wander or who have a medical emergency.
• Alzheimer’s Association CareSource™ is our online suite of resources that will help coordinate assistance from family and friends, locate senior housing, receive customized care recommendations and enhance care giving skills.
• The Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library, the nation’s largest devoted to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia's, provides reference and research services.
We advocate for change
The Alzheimer’s Association represents the interests of people living with the disease and their families to all levels of government. Through our advocacy efforts, we call on Congress to act now.
We’re improving dementia care
We’re leading the way in making sure that dementia care is safe, respectful and meaningful for every individual through our Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care. As part of our initiative, we established specific recommendations to raise the standard of dementia care. In addition, we offer classroom and Web-based training based on these recommendations for direct care providers in assisted living and nursing homes.
We fund innovative Alzheimer research
The Association has invested more than $265 million in Alzheimer research and is a catalyst for generating new knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia's. Our research grants program supports investigations into understanding the disease and improving the quality of life for people affected by it.
Join the cause: Help us end Alzheimer’s disease.
• Connect with your local chapter by participating in a support group, getting information about care options or attending one of our educational workshops.
• Advocate for those affected by Alzheimer’s and urge legislators to increase funding for care, support and research.
• Volunteer with 35,000 others who work with us to provide essential services across the country. Organize an event of your own, or participate in the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest fundraising and awareness event: Memory Walk. Contact Colleen at Colleen.Warren@alz.org for more information.
• Donate to help fund vital research and care programs.