Alzheimer’s disease knows no boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you are 38 or 83, Hispanic or Caucasian, or what your sexual orientation may be. Today, The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number may reach 16 million.
It is important to know that Alzheimer’s is not normal aging and is a fatal disease. Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior, and gets worse over time. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work, or to enjoy lifelong hobbies. The disease may cause a person to become confused, lost in familiar places, misplace things, or have trouble with language.
Many people worry about becoming more forgetful as they grow older. Our brains change as we age, just like the rest of our bodies. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and problems remembering certain things.
Early detection and diagnosis can put the person with Alzheimer’s on a path to hopefully slow the progression of the disease, allow for thoughtful planning and provide a better quality of life for both the person with Alzheimer’s and the caregiver. Quality of life for the caregiver is something that should not be taken lightly. This stressful role sometimes results in caregivers neglecting their own physical, mental and emotional well-being. Elderly caregivers are at a 63 percent higher risk of mortality than non-caregivers in the same age group. In addition, the “sandwich generation” of those taking care of both their children and parents can experience high levels of stress...