A bitter pill: national pharmacy closings hinder access, increase risk

PROJECT UPDATE IMOKALEE COMPLETE STREETS TIGER GRANT DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT JUNE 2025PROJECT UPDATEThe Immokalee Complete Streets Project is finished and includes new sidewalks and drainage along miles of local streets. In addition to the sidewalks, the project included reconstruction of many existing residential driveways and improvements to the drainage swale along your property line within the Collier County Right-of-Way (ROW).We need to work together to keep these new sidewalks and drainage improvements in good condition. Please do your part to help maintain the improvements by complying with the existing codes which require property owners to assume all maintenance and repair responsibilities within the Collier County ROW. These responsibilities include mowing the grass and protecting the sidewalk and driveway from damage.We are requesting your help to maintain these improvements including: Drainage cutting the grass within the swale is very important because it will allow the drainage system to function. Picking up the litter before you mow will also keep the community clean. Pedestrian Safety do not park on the sidewalks, it is against the law and blocks the safe passage of children and adults. Heavy trucks and equipment can damage the sidewalk. The construction of sidewalks is expensive, and your help is needed to maintain them. Please remember it is illegal to park on a sidewalk. Both the Collier County Sheriffs Office and the Collier County Code Enforcement Division are monitoring to encourage voluntary compliance. Citations will be issued if the law is broken. It is the property owners responsibility to assure that all your visitors, tenants, and family members obey the law. You, as the property owner, are responsible for maintaining the driveway and ROW.If you rent your property, please inform your tenants of this information. As a landlord, you are responsible for providing your tenants with this information.We hope you enjoy the improvements along the county roadways and please continue to assist your neighbors as we work to improve the health and safety of our community.For more information about the project, please contact: CHRISTIE BETANCOURT ASSISTANT DIVISION DIRECTOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) Email: Christie.Betancourt@colliercountyfl.gov Phone: (239) 867-0028 IMMOKALEE CRA Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency

This June during Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimers Association is encouraging all Americans to take charge of their brain health.  Today, there are more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimers. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia. The brain changes that cause Alzheimers are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which we can intervene in the progression of the disease. Experts believe there isnt a single cause of Alzheimers. Its likely the disease develops as a result of multiple factors. While not a direct cause of Alzheimers, the greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Although some risk factors like age cant be changed, as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of physical activity. Research shows that adopting healthy behaviors like getting exercise and good quality sleep can improve your brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Based on mounting scientific evidence, the Alzheimers Association encourages individuals to incorporate these 10 Healthy Habits   such as challenging your mind and eating healthier foods to help protect brain health. Be Proactive in Addressing Brain Changes Only half of those with Alzheimers disease ever receive a diagnosis, delaying needed care and potentially putting them at risk. Another important way to take charge of your health is to know the early warning signs of Alzheimers and other dementia and be proactive in addressing them. Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimers is more important than ever. Early detection offers significant benefits for the person diagnosed and their loved ones, including greater access to treatment options and the ability to plan for the future. There are now treatments that can slow disease progression for people in the early stage of Alzheimers, making a timely diagnosis critically important. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory or thinking problems, its important to get it checked. Talk to your doctor so you can make an informed decision on available treatments to determine if they are right for you.  Join the Fight to End Alzheimers  During Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimers Association invites everyone to join us in the fight to end Alzheimers and all other dementia. Heres what you can do:         Adopt the 10 Healthy Habits: It is never too early or too late to start taking positive actions for your brain. Visit alz.org/healthyhabits to learn more!      Go purple: Throughout the month of June, go purple the color of the Alzheimers movement to raise awareness of the disease. Dress in purple and share your story on social media using the hashtag #ENDALZ.      Join the fight: Advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimers Association by participating in our fundraising events Walk to End Alzheimers, The Longest Day and Ride to End ALZ. Visit alz.org/fundraisingevents.       Get information and support: Access education programs and dementia care resources. Visit alz.org/educationalprograms.       Volunteer with us: As an Alzheimers Association volunteer, you can help people in your community take steps to reduce their dementia risk and recognize the signs of Alzheimers. Visit alz.org/volunteer.      Advocate: Raise your voice tell Congress to act today. Visit alz.org/congressconnects.      Accelerate research: It takes everyone to advance Alzheimers and dementia research. Alzheimers Association TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use service that connects individuals living with cognitive impairment, Alzheimers disease or another dementia, caregivers and healthy participants with current research studies. Visit alz.org/trialmatch.      Donate: Empower people at every age and stage of life to take charge of their brain health support the Alzheimers Association! Visit alz.org/donate.   We are proud to partner with the Alzheimers Association in the fight against Alzheimers and other dementia. To learn more visit alz.org/abam.