SUPPORT

GROUPS

Promotional
Kit
East Tennessee The Cumberlands

Contents
Letter from the Executive Director

Brand

Alzheimers Tennessee Brand
4


Fact Sheet

Alzheimers Tennessee
5

Alzheimers Tennessee Support Groups 6


Pitch Letter

Sample Pitch Letter

7

Pitch Letter Template
8
News Release

Sample News Release
News Release Template

9
10

Publicity Materials
Sample Flyer
Flyer Template
Sample Newspaper Ad

11
12
13

Recommendations

Media Stories to Pitch


Suggested Support Group Topics
Media List

14
15
16

5801 Kingston Pike / Knoxville, TN 37919 / P: 865.544.6288

To our Alzheimers Tennessee support group facilitators,

On behalf of Alzheimers Tennessee, Inc., I would like to personally thank you for your
dedication to our organization and the countless hours you put into the preparation and
execution of your support group. You are an integral part of fulfilling the Alzheimers
Tennessee mission of serving those facing Alzheimers disease and related dementias,
promoting brain health through education and championing global health prevention and
treatment efforts.
In this promotional kit, we have provided you with brand-affiliated materials to help you
effectively promote your support group. We hope you find these tools beneficial and
relevant to your needs. The provided materials include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Alzheimers Tennessee and support groups fact sheets

Sample pitch letter and pitch letter template
Sample news release and news release template
Flyer and flyer template
Newspaper ad
Media stories to pitch
Suggested support group topics
Media list

Again, thank you for your commitment to Alzheimers Tennessee and for working to help
Tennesseans touched by Alzheimers disease and related dementias. We are grateful
for all of your hard work.

Sincerely,
Janice Wade-Whitehead
Executive Director

Maintaining the

Brand

Importance of Brand Consistency

The Alzheimers Tennessee, Inc. logo is essential to include with any distributed
promotional materials, including flyers, advertisements and news releases. Strategic
visual branding communicates what the organization does, its priorities and how it differs
from other organizations. For Alzheimers Tennessee, the logo expresses the
organizations connection to Alzheimers disease and its dedication to the state of
Tennessee. Every aspect of the logo - the text, colors and shape - was designed
specifically to give Alzheimers Tennessee a personality and identity that people can
relate to. It is important to ensure the Alzheimers Tennessee logo is included on all
distributed materials because it helps raise the credibility of the support group by
affiliating it with the brand and shows that it is a part of a larger support group network
across Tennessee.
As a partner, affiliate or volunteer of Alzheimers Tennessee, we ask that you help in
maintaining this consistent visual identity by incorporating the logo in all promotional
materials. All templates provided by Alzheimers Tennessee include acceptable logo
placement and usage, and these should not be removed. We are grateful for all of the
individuals and groups who help us achieve our mission of serving those who face
Alzheimers disease and related dementias, promoting brain health through education
and championing global prevention and treatment efforts.

Acceptable Logo Usage

The colors on the logo should not be

altered in any way.

This black and white version of the

logo is acceptable for all non-color
promotional materials.

5801 Kingston Pike / Knoxville, TN 37919 / P: 865.544.6288

ABOUT ALZHEIMERS TENNESSEE, INC.

Our Mission

To serve those facing Alzheimers disease and related dementias, to promote brain
health through education and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts.

Who We Are

Alzheimers Tennessee, Inc. was founded in 1983 by a small group of East Tennessee
families who met in an effort to understand and cope with the effects of Alzheimers disease
and began providing services to the local community.
Now a 501c3 independent non-profit organization, Alzheimers Tennessee is governed by a
local board of directors and advocates for research initiatives and provides services to more
than 120,000 individuals and families facing Alzheimers disease and dementia across the
state of Tennessee.

What We Do

Alzheimers Tennessee provides family support, offers community and professional

education, advocates for the rights and needs of those with Alzheimers disease and related
dementias, as well as research for its prevention, cure and treatment.
Services include:

Locally-staffed HelpLine
Adult day care in Knox County
Caregiver consultations
Over 42 support groups
Training services for staff at area facilities
Advocacy for enhancements in law and policy
Annual research symposium
Educational workshops

Serving Our State

Every dollar raised by Alzheimers Tennessee benefits Tennesseans living with Alzheimers
and related dementias.
Alzheimers Tennessee partners with leading experts throughout the country including
Leaders Engaged on Alzheimers Disease, the WomenAgainstAlzheimers network and U.S.
Against Alzheimers.
Through donations and fundraising events, including five regional Alzheimers WALKs,
Alzheimers Tennessee supports families in Tennessee touched by the disease and related
dementias.

5801 Kingston Pike / Knoxville, TN 37919 / P: 865.544.6288

ALZHEIMERS TENNESSEE SUPPORT GROUPS

Purpose

Support groups serve as a safe place for those touched by Alzheimers disease and
related dementias to come together in a caring and understanding environment.
Attendees learn more about these conditions, acquire helpful resources, gather with
others who understand and share the same challenges, discuss the many difficulties
associated with caregiving and help others who are struggling with the same issues.

Locations

Alzheimers Tennessee offers many support groups at various times and locations
throughout the state of Tennessee. A list of these groups, arranged by county, can
be found at www.alztennessee.org/support-groups.
Those interested in attending a support group should call to confirm location, date
and time of the meeting.

Toll-Free Monthly Telephone Support Group occurs the first Monday of the
month at 2 p.m. EST. Call (866) 212-0875, and the pass code is 522552.

IN THE KNOXVILLE AREA

Early Stage Memory Caf

This support group is a monthly meeting offering a social and educational experience
for those facing early stage Alzheimers or dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive
impairment.
The meeting occurs at the Alzheimers Tennessee office: 5801 Kingston Pike,
Knoxville, 37919. Contact Linda Johnson to register or get more information at (865)
544-6288.

Living with FTD: Support for Families Facing Frontotemporal

Dementia

This support group meets the second Monday of the month (July through November,
2015) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at UT Medical Center in the Health Information Center.
For more information, contact Alzheimers Tennessee at (865) 544-6288 or the Cole
Neuroscience Center at (865) 305-6740.

Sample Pitch Letter

To:KristiNelson
From:AmandaBaker
Date:Oct.7,2015
Subject:AlzheimersTennesseeBakersvilleSeniorCenterSupportGroup
Ms.Nelson,
MynameisAmandaBakerandIamafacilitatorforthemonthlyBakersvilleSeniorCenter
SupportGroupsponsoredbyAlzheimersTennessee.Ienjoyedyourrecentstoryonthe
warningsignsofFronterotemporalDementia,andIwantedtoreachouttoyoutoletyouknow
aboutanAlzheimersTennesseesupportgroupinKnoxvillethatsupportsTennesseansliving
withorimpactedbyAlzheimersandrelateddementiasincludingFTD.Novemberis
AlzheimersAwarenessMonth,soitwouldbeatimelyopportunitytowriteafollowupstory
focusingonthislocalsupportgroupforthoselivingwithorcaringforthosewithAlzheimersand
relateddementias.
Asyounotedinyourstory,Alzheimersdiseaseanddementiaimpactatleast110,000
Tennesseansincludingmanyinyourreadershiparea.SupportgroupsliketheoneIfacilitate
serveasasafeplaceforthosetouchedbyAlzheimersdiseaseandrelateddementiastocome
togetherinacaringandunderstandingenvironment.
IservedasprimarycaregiverformymotherwholostherbattlewithearlyonsetAlzheimers
disease.Sincethen,Ihavevolunteeredasasupportgroupfacilitatorforthreeyearsinhopesof
usingmyexperiencestohelpothersinsimilarsituations.
ThenextBakersvilleSeniorCenterSupportGroupmeetingwilltakeplaceat6:30p.m.on
Tuesday,Oct.13attheBakersvilleSeniorCenter,1234BakerBlvd.Featuringthissupport
groupcouldhelpshowthecommunitythattheyarenotaloneandthatawelcoming,caring
communityexiststohelpsupportthem.
Iamhappytoprovidequotesoradditionalinformationviaphoneoremail.Iwouldalsobeable
togiveyouthenamesandcontactinformationfortwosupportgroupmemberswhohaveoffered
tosharetheirstoryandexplainwhatthesupportgroupmeanstothem.
Icanbereachedbyemailorat(888)1234567.Iwillfollowupinafewdaystogaugeyour
interestinwritingafeatureonthesupportgroupIfacilitateduringAlzheimersAwareness
Month.
Sincerely,
AmandaBaker
SupportGroupFacilitator

Pitch Letter Template

To:[mediacontact]
From:[supportgroupfacilitator]
Date:[month,day,year]

Subject:AlzheimersTennessee[supportgroupname] SupportGroup
[Title][mediacontactlastname],
Mynameis[supportgroupfacilitator]andIamafacilitatorforthe[supportgroupname]
sponsoredbyAlzheimersTennessee.Ienjoyedyourrecentstoryon[relevantsubjectrelatedto
Alzheimersorhealthcare],andIwantedtoreachouttoyoutoletyouknowaboutan
AlzheimersTennesseesupportgroupin[city]thatsupportsTennesseanslivingwithor
impactedbyAlzheimersandrelateddementias.[Ifpossible,giveexampleofthestorystimely
orprominentelement],soitwouldbeatimelyopportunitytowriteafollowupstoryfocusingon
thislocalsupportgroupforthoselivingwithorcaringforthosewithAlzheimersandrelated
dementias.
Asyounotedinyourstory,Alzheimersdiseaseanddementiaimpactatleast110,000
Tennesseansincludingmanyinyourreadershiparea.SupportgroupsliketheoneIfacilitate
serveasasafeplaceforthosetouchedbyAlzheimersdiseaseandrelateddementiastocome
togetherinacaringandunderstandingenvironment.
[Include12sentencebackgroundinformationaboutyourselfandwhyyouserveasasupport
groupfacilitator]
Thenext[supportgroupname]meetingwilltakeplaceat[time]on[date]atthe[location],
[address].Featuringthissupportgroupcouldhelpshowthecommunitythattheyarenotalone
andthatawelcoming,caringcommunityexiststohelpsupportthem.
Iamhappytoprovidequotesoradditionalinformationviaphoneoremail.Iwouldalsobeable
togiveyouthenamesandcontactinformationfortwosupportgroupmemberswhohaveoffered
tosharetheirstoryandexplainwhatthesupportgroupmeanstothem.
Icanbereachedbyemailorat[phonenumber].Iwillfollowupinafewdaystogaugeyour
interestinwritingafeatureonthesupportgroupIfacilitateduringAlzheimersAwareness
Month.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title]

News Release
Dec.1, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:
Amanda Baker
(888) 123-4567
Amanda.baker@email.com

ALZHEIMERS TENNESSEE, INC. TO HOST SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE

TOUCHED BY ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIAS
Support group offers a safe place for family members and caregivers
BAKERSVILLE, Tenn. Alzheimers Tennessee, Inc. will host a support group for those
touched by Alzheimers disease and related dementias at the Bakersville Senior Center
on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. The groups facilitator Amanda Baker will discuss the Five Habits of
the Happy Caregiver.
Baker served as primary caregiver for her mother who suffered from early-onset
Alzheimers disease. She has been volunteering as a support group facilitator for three
years in hopes of using her experiences to help others in similar situations. This support
group community of individuals dealing with Alzheimers and related dementias is an
important place to share stories, express understanding and offer emotional support.
The topic of the support group meeting is Five Habits of the Happy Caregiver, which
will offer helpful tips for caregivers in maintaining personal health and wellness. Many
caregivers overlook the importance of personal care, but this discussion will describe
effective habits to ensure the caregivers health remains a priority in their busy lives.
It is important for caregivers to remember to take care of themselves while also caring
for their loved one, said Baker. This support group meeting will offer great tips and
tricks for how caregivers can remain balanced and healthy.
Alzheimers Tennessee offers a number of support groups that meet in 18 counties
throughout East Tennessee and the Cumberlands. The groups are facilitated by trained
volunteers who receive monthly materials, and many locations offer specialized groups
for all individuals touched by Alzheimers disease and related dementias. For more
information about Alzheimers Tennessee support groups, please visit
www.alztennessee.org/support-groups.
About Alzheimers Tennessee
Alzheimers Tennessee is an independent 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has
been based in Tennessee since 1983 and has the following mission: To serve those
facing Alzheimers disease and related dementias, to promote brain health through
education, and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts. Alzheimers
Tennessee, Inc. coordinates support groups and answers HelpLine calls for resource
referrals and information, offers community and professional education, advocates for
the needs and rights of those with Alzheimers disease and related dementias, and funds
research for its prevention, cure, and treatment. For more information locally, call
865.544.6288 or visit www.alztennessee.org.
###

News Release
[Date]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:
[Name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]

ALZHEIMERS TENNESSEE, INC. TO HOST SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE

TOUCHED BY ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIAS
Support group offers a safe place for family members and caregivers
[CITY], Tenn. Alzheimers Tennessee, Inc. will host a support group for those touched
by Alzheimers disease and related dementias at [location] on [date] at [time]. The
groups facilitator(s) [facilitators name(s)] will discuss [topic].
[Paragraph describing the facilitator(s) expertise/ connection to the disease/ why they
choose to volunteer as a facilitator]
[Paragraph discussing the topic/ how it will benefit attendees]
[Quote from facilitator, attendee or Alzheimers Tennessee staff member about the
support group meeting or the importance of attending a support group]
Alzheimers Tennessee offers a number of support groups that meet in 18 counties
throughout East Tennessee and the Cumberlands. The groups are facilitated by trained
volunteers who receive monthly materials, and many locations offer specialized groups
for all individuals touched by Alzheimers disease and related dementias. For more
information about Alzheimers Tennessee support groups, please visit
www.alztennessee.org/support-groups.
About Alzheimers Tennessee
Alzheimers Tennessee is an independent 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has
been based in Tennessee since 1983 and has the following mission: To serve those
facing Alzheimers disease and related dementias, to promote brain health through
education, and to champion global prevention and treatment efforts. Alzheimers
Tennessee, Inc. coordinates support groups and answers HelpLine calls for resource
referrals and information, offers community and professional education, advocates for
the needs and rights of those with Alzheimers disease and related dementias, and funds
research for its prevention, cure, and treatment. For more information locally, call
865.544.6288 or visit www.alztennessee.org.

###

10

SUPPORT
GROUPS
Memory Lane Caf
The Courtyards Senior Living
with
Kathy Broggy, Patricia Benn &
Dava Snyder
2nd Tuesday of each month
6:30 p.m.
(865) 688 - 2666
815 E Inskip Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37912

SUPPORT
GROUPS
Topic of Support Group
Location of support group
with
Names of facilitators
When
Time

Logo of Venue
(omit if not needed)

(Phone number)
(Address of support
group location)

Alzheimers Tennessee

SUPPORT
GROUPS

IN YOUR AREA
Take time to educate yourself about
Alzheimers disease, get emotional support and
meet others who are in similar situations.
For more information:
call (865)544- 6288
or
visit www.alzTennessee.org
K n ox v i l l e : ( 8 6 5 ) 5 4 4 - 6 2 8 8
Cookeville:(931)526-8010

Media Stories to Pitch

Media Stories to Pitch

Feature story: Support Group Attendees

DuetothewidespectrumofAlzheimersdiseasesymptomsandstages,eachpersontouched
bythediseaseandrelateddementiashasauniquestorytoshare.AlzheimersTennesseecan
usemediastoriestocommunicatethatcaregiversoflovedonesareunitedbythestressof
dealingwiththedisease.Afeaturestoryhighlightingcommunitymemberswhoareeither
caregiversorfaceAlzheimersdiseaseandattendsupportgroupswouldhelppromoteand
humanizethesupportgroupsandAlzheimersTennesseeswork.Thestorycouldinclude
personalquotesandphotostoevokeemotionsofhopeandempathyamongreadersinthelocal
community.Bypitchingahumanintereststoryaboutaparticularsupportgrouporsupportgroup
attendeestothemedia,AlzheimersTennesseewouldsharepersonalstoriesandeducatelocal,
targetedaudiencesegmentsaboutthenearbysupportgroupsintheirarea.

Feature story: Support Group Facilitators

Mediacoverageofsupportgroupfacilitatorswouldcommunicatetothelocalcommunitythat
thesefacilitatorsprovideresourcesandsharecaregivingapproachestohelppeopletouchedby
Alzheimersdiseaseandrelateddementiasinacaringandunderstandingenvironment.
Communitymembersmaybeinterestedinattendingacaregiversupportgroupbutfeeluneasy
aboutsharingtheirstorywithanunfamiliarface.Afeaturestoryonsupportgroupfacilitators
couldpromotesupportgroupsandencourageinterestedpartiestoattendAlzheimers
Tennesseesponsoredmeetings.Thefeaturestorycouldincludephotosofthefacilitatorand
backgroundinformationontheirhistorywithAlzheimersdiseasewhytheyserveinthis
capacity.Byframingthestorywithalocalperson,theapproachhumanizesthesupportgroup.

Alzheimers Awareness Month

AlzheimersTennesseecouldleverageNovemberasAlzheimersAwarenessMonthtodraw
attentiontoitssupportgroups.TwoweeksbeforeNov.1,AlzheimersTennesseecouldpitcha
featurestorythatincludesfactsaboutsupportgroupsandtheorganizationsmission.Thepitch
couldincludestatisticsonthecurrentnumberofTennesseansaffectedbyAlzheimersdisease
tofurtherhighlighttheimportanceofAlzheimersAwarenessMonth.Membersofthecommunity
couldsharethestoryonlinetospreadawarenessofthemonthandorganization,whichwould
increasethenumberofstoryviews.AnAlzheimersTennesseefactsheet,calendarofevents
andsupportgroupcalendarwouldbeofferedtointerestedmediainordertoprovideallofthe
storyinformationinoneeasilyaccessiblemediakit.Photosandquotescouldalsohelp
humanizethestoryandpromotethewelcomingsupportgroupenvironment.

15

Suggested Support Group Topics

Brain Exercises and Memory Games
Supportgroupfacilitatorscouldleadameetingontheimportanceofmemorytrainingforcertain
Alzheimersdiseaseanddementiapatients.Sessionswithafocusonmemory,reasoningand
informationprocessingcouldappealtocaregiverswhowouldliketohelptheirlovedonesby
playingbraingamestogether.Thegroupfacilitatorcouldprovideexampleboardgames,apps
andpuzzlesforthosefacingAlzheimersdiseasetoimprovememoryskills.

Cooking and Meal Prep

CaregiversmustlearnhowtoadaptatthedinnertablewhenlovedoneswithAlzheimers
diseaseandrelateddementiasbegintostrugglewitheating.Supportgroupleaderscould
discusstheproperstepstoconsiderwhenbuyingfoodandfeedinglovedones.Leaderswitha
backgroundinnutritioncouldeducatesupportgroupattendeesaboutmealtimeroutines,weight
lossandmedications.Theparticularsupportgroupcoveringthistopiccoulddeliverflyerstoarea
hospitalsandnutritionfacilities.

Stress and Anxiety Relief

Caregiversdeserveatimetorelaxanddestressafteralongdayofprovidingcarefortheirloved
ones.Afocusgroupcenteredaroundstressandanxietyreliefcouldteachattendeeshowto
bettermanagetheirstressandcopewiththeiremotions.Thesupportgroupfacilitatorcould
scheduleayogaandmeditationeventforcaregiverstorelaxtogetherforanafternoon.
Facilitatorswithabackgroundinpsychologywouldbeexcellentcandidates,becausetheycould
betternoticewarningsignsofdepression,anxietyorinsomniaamongcaregivers.Thegroup
couldgettoknoweachotherwhilealsogainingtheresourcestheyneedtomanagetheirstress
inahealthy,positiveway.

16

NAME

Staff Writer

Melanie Tucker Lifestyle Editor

Business and
Missy Wattenbarger Features Writer

Jeremy Nash

Editor

Reporter
Reporter/Staff
Writer, News

ADDRESS

PHONE

PO Box 9740
Maryville, TN 37802
865-981-1149
125 West Ave. Crossville,
TN 38555
931-484-5145
119 Riverbend Dr.
865-428-0746
Sevierville, TN 37864 ext. 2118
575 Oak Ridge Turnpike,
Suite 100 Oak Ridge, TN
37830
865-482-1021
145 East Broadway
Newport, TN 37821
423-623-6171
201 Simpson Road Lenoir 865-986-6581
City, TN 37771
ext. 108
PO Box 610
865-376-3481
Kingston, TN 37763
ext. 227
PO Box 2729
Cookeville, TN 38502 931-526-9715

EMAIL

editor@herald-citizen.com

tlikens@roanecounty.com

jeremy.nash@news-herald.net

duay.oneil@newportplaintalk.com

editor@oakridger.com

editor@themountainpress.com

mwattenbarger@crossville-chronicle.com

melanie.tucker@thedailytimes.com

2332 News Sentinel Dr.

Health Reporter Knoxville, TN 37921
865-342-6434 kristi.nelson@knoxnews.com
706 Walnut St., Suite 404
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-313-2059 clay@knoxmercury.com

TITLE

Alzheimer's Tennessee Local Media List

ORGANIZATION
Knoxville News Sentinel Kristi L. Nelson
The Knoxville Mercury Clay Duda

Crossville Chronicle
Jason Davis

The Daily Times

The Mountain Press

Editor and
Darrell Richardson Publisher

The News-Herald

Terri Likens

Editor

Editor

The Oak Ridger

Roane County News

Buddy Pearson

The Newport Plain Talk Duay O'Neil

The Herald-Citizen