The James M. Dixon Foundation is a non-profit, 501C3 charitable organization that provides support for many areas of Alzheimer's and dementia related diseases, research, as well as support for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
The Foundation offers targeted assistance to:
Mr. Dixon, born in 1927 in Chicago, IL, served with distinction in both the Air Force and the Army of the U.S. Armed Services before becoming an accountant for the U.S. Postal Service. A proficient mathematician and computer expert, he actively contributed to his community. In 1991, Mr. Dixon and his wife Mimi retired to Sun City Center, FL, where he remained engaged in the Computer Club and volunteered to prepare taxes for many years.
Mr. Dixon was very active in community organizing and advocacy, offering his expertise to help elect the first Black Mayor of Chicago, Mayor Harold Washington. He was also very vocal in advocating for the rights of those less fortunate. He stayed true to his belief of doing everything with integrity and faith.
Despite his age, Mr. Dixon enjoyed robust health well into his mid-80s, maintaining a regimen of swimming 40 laps per day and traveling extensively. Overcoming battles with prostate, stomach, and lung cancers, he faced new challenges in his late 80s, experiencing forgetfulness, diminished reasoning, and balance issues, eventually forgetting even basic computer usage and directions to his favorite restaurants. At 88, he received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
After his diagnosis, Mr. Dixon stated to his daughter that he "didn't remember his life, but he knew he had a good one."
Throughout his brief encounter with the disease, Mr. Dixon retained his characteristic warmth, greeting everyone with a smile. He believed in fate and as he put it, "was willing to face all that the Man Up Stairs had for him." Facing additional challenges at the Assisted Living Facility, he passed away at the age of 90, in 2018. In honor of her father, Dr. Lori established The James M. Dixon Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, supporting caregivers, advocating for legislation to protect residents of assisted living facilities, promoting and funding research, and providing scholarships for medical school students.
The Foundation envisions a world free of Alzheimer's disease and offers opportunities for others to contribute to this vision and support its realization.
After more than five years, The James M. Dixon Foundation for Alzheimer's Research and Support is poised to redirect our efforts towards research, in addition to the ongoing initiatives we presently undertake. While we have consistently championed research projects, we have yet to embark on one ourselves. Hindered by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the time has now come to initiate a project that was conceptualized in 2019—a project that explores the potential benefits of zero gravity therapy for individuals with early onset and early-stage dementias.
For more information, please contact The Foundation.
Moreover, The Foundation not only supports organizations actively seeking a cure for Alzheimer's disease but also focuses on assisting those living with the disease to live their best lives. We provide support to caregivers through mindfulness and meditation training, retreats, and specially designed courses and support r.oundation apart is our multifaceted approach. Instead of focusing solely on one or two areas or exclusively providing large-scale support, opportunities, and activities, we engage in diverse, community-based initiatives including:
- Active involvement in the community: We engage with care providers, individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, assisted and residential living facilities, churches, community organizations, and wherever support is needed, offering personal assistance, resources and referrals, a kind word, or simply a smile.
- Hosting, facilitating, and participating in community forums: We organize forums of varying sizes to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease, bringing together experts across essential areas of care, assistance, research, and resources.
- Continuous efforts to give back to the community: We seek opportunities to support individuals living with, caring for, and serving in the field of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by providing funding, food, services, materials, resources, referrals, support, and care.
- Providing personalized support: We offer one-on-one and small group support to families of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease.
Moreover, The Foundation not only supports organizations actively seeking a cure for Alzheimer's disease but also focuses on assisting those living with the disease to live their best lives. We provide support to caregivers through mindfulness and meditation training, retreats, and specially designed courses and support groups .
The James M. Dixon Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, religion (creed), gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment of Board of Directors, hiring, firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.
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