When Amelia Epley goes to work each day, she often has to remind people of her name and who she is.

Some days, she has to remind them every few seconds.

“It breaks your heart,” she said.

Epley, a Russellville sophomore, has been a certified nurse’s assistant for almost two years. Working at nursing homes in Russellville and Bowling Green has exposed her to many people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

In Bowling Green and around the world, people are taking steps to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Last Saturday, for the first time in five years, the Alzheimer’s Association of Bowling Green hosted a mile-long Memory Walk to raise money for the organization.

About 500 people attended the walk at Preston Miller Park.

“Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease, but since you can’t really do anything about it, you just have to come to terms with it,” Epley said. “Even though they don’t recognize you, they do love you and appreciate you.”

Epley, whose great-grandmother suffered from dementia, spent more than a year as a CNA at Creekwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Russellville.

“A lot of the residents can’t walk or move themselves,” Epley said. “I make sure they know they are not alone, because most of them feel that way.”

The nursing home works to keep the residents active through things such as Bingo and restorative workers to help with physical rehabilitation. But visits are most important to the residents.

A woman with short, white hair sat propped up in her bed as Epley spoon-fed her.

“What are your children’s names?” Epley asked.

The woman named two of them, then paused.

“What is your daughter’s name?” Epley asked.

The woman struggled. “Theresa Mae,” she said.

The questions seemed to exercise the woman’s mind and help her remember things that might otherwise slip away.

About 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, and every 70 seconds, another person develops it, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Web site.

Dana Bradley, Director of the Center for Gerontology, said the center had an 11-member team at the walk, including students.

Dana Brinley, special event coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, said more than 200 people registered to become potential advocates. The event also raised money.

“We went over our goal of $32,000,” Brinley said. “We believe we are close to $40,000.”

About 70 members of Sigma Kappa sorority participated, she said.

Epley, who was unable to attend the walk, said she respected the people there.

“It’s amazing that, in these hard times, people are willing to donate that much money,” Epley said. “But it’s a cause that needs it.”

As much as Epley loves her job, she said that there are hard times.

“There was one woman — I was her aid,” she said, her eyes getting red and teary. “I tucked her into bed and gave her a hug, just because I felt like she needed it. I told her I loved her — she said she loved me, and we said we couldn’t wait to see each other the next day.”

The woman died that night.

“Losing someone is always rough,” Epley said.

Working in nursing homes has taught Epley that it takes a special person to handle the responsibilities of a CNA.

“If you can’t handle the grunt work, you don’t need the job,” she said. “You always have to do what’s best for them — never what’s best for you.”

Through the good and bad days, Epley appreciates her work and accepts it as a big part of her life.

“I’m so glad I got into it,” she said. “I love the people I work with. They’re the sweetest things — you can’t help but love them.”