Alzheimer's San Diego
Brain Health for All
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our Mission: Helping people impacted by dementia, fighting stigma, and supporting research. Alzheimer’s can feel like an impossible disease. But at Alzheimer’s San Diego, we know that people can still live well after a diagnosis. We recognize the dignity of every person living with dementia, and empower them to play an active role in planning their own future care. We see the heartache this disease inflicts on caregivers, and we’re here to give them the support and knowledge they need to become strong care partners – and to find joy in even the darkest moments. And we’re working to make Alzheimer’s a disease of the past, by connecting people to clinical trials and funding research for a cure.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Education
We offer a variety of classes and workshops to the community free of charge. Our programs focus on serving those with Alzheimer's, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, other brain disorders involving memory loss – and their caregivers. We also connect with professionals and those generally interested learning more about
ALZ Companions Respite Program
Specially trained Companion Volunteers can provide companionship, socialization and supervision for the person with dementia, allowing family members the opportunity to take a much-needed break.
Early Stage Support: Take Charge!
Learning to live well with dementia starts with empowering yourself with the right information, resources and connections. Take Charge helps people living with dementia and their care partners understand what to expect, how to plan for the future, and connect with others on the same journey.
Social Activities and Outings
Alzheimer’s San Diego hosts social activities designed for both the people living with dementia and their care partners! Social activities and outings help people stay active, explore the community and connect with others on the same journey.
Support Groups
Our support groups, led by trained facilitators, provide dementia caregivers with the opportunity to discuss challenges, share their feelings, and gain emotional support. Talking with people who are going through similar situations and who truly understand help them feel less alone as they confront the many challenges of caregiving. Our goal is to provide a safe setting which promotes mutual support, both practical and emotional, throughout the course of the disease.
Talk with a Clinical Care Coach
Our team of Clinical Care Coaches are social workers and dementia experts here to help those with Alzheimer's, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and other brain health disorders. We provide supportive counseling, connect families to trusted community resources, talk through difficult situations and work one-on-one to develop a personalized plan for the future. Call us at 858.492.4400
Clinical Trials
The first person to be cured of Alzheimer's will be someone in a clinical trial. We fund local drug discovery projects through our Collaboration4Cure (C4C) initiative. We also support research by connecting people with clinical trials happening in San Diego County.
Memory Screenings
We provide free memory screenings every month. These appointments are a great tool for anyone who is worried about memory loss, or would like to establish a baseline to detect future changes. Give us a call to schedule your free screening at our Kearny Mesa office.
Coping with Caregiving
Coping with Caregiving is a 5-week series to support dementia care partners. Through a mix of practical strategies and support, caregivers get the tools they need to succeed.
VITALZ (Volunteers in Touch)
There are a record number of people in San Diego County living with dementia – and 1 out of 4 live alone. The VITALZ (Volunteers in Touch) program was specifically created to support this vulnerable population. Specially trained volunteers call those enrolled in the program every week. Phone calls can be purely social, but they can also provide reminders about things like upcoming appointments and food deliveries, or serve to identify a new need the person living with dementia may have. VITALZ can also serve as a safety net. When a person enrolls in this program, they will provide emergency contacts. If the person living with dementia does not answer a scheduled call after a few tries, the volunteer will then call the emergency contacts so they can check-in and see if the person is safe.
Where we work
External reviews

Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Alzheimer's San Diego
Board of directorsas of 3/29/2021
Derrick Walsh
Axos Bank
Ann Owens
Qualcomm
Marcea Lloyd
Amylin
Vince Kingsley
Torrey Pines Bank
Claudia Mazanec
Qualcomm, Retired
Bari Berkman
SAIC, Retired
Linda Cho
Stellar Care
Abraham Chyung
Scripps Medical Group, Inc.
Carlo Cecchetto
CBS News 8
Dani Dawson
California Western School of Law
Bill Gore
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Susan Guerra
Chesnut Properties
Herb Liberman
Business Consultant
Jill Mendlen
Lightbridge Hospice
Dennis Schoville
Attorney at Law, Retired
Bill Smith
Wells Fargo Wealth Advisors
Judy Wenker
Senior Nonprofit Activist
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data