November Is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Back in 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
Sadly Mr. Reagan suffered from this progressive disease. Back in 1983, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer’s Disease. Today more than double that number suffer from the disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 1: Dementia Is Not The Same As Alzheimer’s
While many people use the words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably, they are very different. Dementia is a ‘syndrome’ with a wide range of symptoms that may impact one’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease. While it’s the most common cause of dementia today, it is possible that a person could actually have the disease without experiencing any of the symptoms.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 2: Awareness Is Always The First Step
In an effort to bring greater awareness to Alzheimer’s Disease during this month, I am posting some of the basics of which many people may be unaware. Many of my clients are the adult children care givers for aging parents with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. It is heartbreaking to see families thrown into confusion and chaos many times because the signs of mental decline were not tended to before the parent(s) were unable to make legal decisions.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 3: It’s Not Normal
First and foremost, I’d like people to be aware of the fact that Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. Even though the majority of people with the disease are 65 years and older, approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have what is known as younger or early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 4: It’s Progressive
Secondly, it’s important to be aware of the fact that Alzheimer’s worsens over time. Unlike dementia which could be caused by any number of things — even medication, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 5: It’s The Sixth Leading Cause Of Death In U.S.
Thirdly, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Fact 6: Currently There Is No Cure
Finally, Alzheimer’s has no current cure. Research is ongoing and treatments for symptoms are available. And, as of now, there are no Alzheimer’s treatments that can stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, but there are some that can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
According to Fischer Center For Alzheimer’s Research, “every 70 seconds another family is affected by Alzheimer’s.” With more than 5 million people in the United States suffering from Alzheimer’s and more than 10 million people caring for a loved one with the disease, every step toward greater awareness is one more things to be thankful for.
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