Page 2 - AlzheimersLA-annual-report-2020-2021

As Fiscal Year 2021 began, the country and the world were held tightly in the
A MESSAGE FROM grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alzheimer’s Los Angeles was also hit hard by
the early impacts of the crisis, but our year followed a surprisingly positive
course, and we ended it much stronger than when we began.

Within the cloud of the pandemic, we stayed focused on ensuring our high-
quality programs and services continued being delivered to families throughout
the greater Los Angeles area. As the stay-at-home orders were extended, our
community’s needs continued to evolve.

The prolonged stress of the pandemic impacted every family caring for a
person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The social isolation led to
higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Our care counselors managed
caseloads with increasing complexity which required more sessions per client
HEATHER than prior to the pandemic. Many families were pushed to their limits.

COOPER Our community outreach team was challenged by how hard it was to stay
connected with different groups because of not being in person. As we
ORTNER bumped up against the reality of the digital divide, our team recognized the

PRESIDENT & CEO need for greater one-on-one personal connections to ensure people were
able to participate in programs. So, while overall numbers were lower than
in previous years, relationships with community members and clients were
deeper and more impactful.

We are grateful for the generosity of our donors, private and public
foundations, and government grants that ensured we met the escalating
and changing needs of our clients and community.

As the fiscal year ended, we found ourselves the beneficiaries of profound
generosity and acts of true philanthropy. As we now look forward to the next
few years, we are hopeful the community’s resilience will see us all in a better
place. And we are eager for our organization to see a new phase of growth
JACKIE and innovation.

MACIAS With gratitude,

BOARD CHAIR

Heather Cooper Ortner Jackie Macias
President & CEO Board Chair