Austin ‘Wiggin’ Out’ Event Raises Awareness and Dollars to Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wearing smiles and purple wigs, a gathering of normally serious professionals mingled festively in "Wiggin' Out," a fundraising event held at Maggie Mae's in Austin, Texas, Saturday evening, January 16. "We achieved two objectives," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, hosts of the event. "First, we raised some money to help fight Alzheimer's. And second, we raised awareness of the growing need for long-term care as the disease progresses."

The event raised $19,000, which will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. The contributions were from participating insurance companies as well as ACSIA Partners, company agents, and the CEO.

The mind-robbing disease is a growing threat. Together with other forms of dementia, Alzheimer's afflicts one in nine American's age 65 and older; and one in three age 85 and older. At present it can't be prevented, cured, or even slowed, the association reports. So casualties could swell in the years ahead. From 2000 to 2013, death attributed to Alzheimer's increased 71%.

"At ACSIA Partners we're glad to support the vital work of finding a cure for Alzheimer's," says Gott. "We're also glad to make a difference for families right now. We can't do anything about the disease itself, other than donate, but we can help families plan for associated long-term care services, which can be substantial."

"As Alzheimer's progresses, people may forget to eat, or have trouble bathing or toileting," Gott explains. "Someone will have to help them, either a family member or paid professional. Planning for this can really help, personally as well as financially."

"Wiggin' Out" was attended by Hollywood actors, 150-plus company agents, and assorted guests. The event was part of a three-day ACSIA Partners conference that included keynotes by the co-producers of "It Snows All the Time" (a feature film about Alzheimer's), and breakout sessions on long-term care planning.

Co-producers Brett Cullen and Erich Hover also play lead roles in the film. Cullen is best known for starring roles in "Apollo 13," "The Dark Knight Rises," "42" and "The Guilt Trip" with Barbra Streisand. Hover had his first movie break acting alongside Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Moneyball." His experience with Alzheimer's in his family motivated him to co-create "It Snows All the Time."

Pictures and videos from the event are available at https://www.acsiapartners.com/wiggin-out-for-alzheimers/.

ACSIA Partners LLC -- http://www.acsiapartners.com -- is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies serving all states. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0120-gott-wiggin-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott with actors Brett Cullen, left, and Erich Hover, right.

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SOURCE ACSIA Partners