The national Alzheimer’s Association has lost its San Diego affiliate.
The San Diego chapter has decided to go its own way, after the national office announced plans to consolidate all of its affiliates.
Under the restructuring, 100 percent of donations would have gone to the national office. Members also would have had to dissolve their boards and drop local decision-making.
San Diego Chapter President Mary Ball said becoming totally independent is the right way to go.
“So I think it is important to have a local board of directors, and a local organization that can be responsive to the unique needs of the community," Ball said.
The local organization provided services to nearly 30,000 San Diegans last year. The group will now be known as Alzheimer’s San Diego.
It's estimated more than 60,000 San Diegans have either Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
