Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, reasoning, motor skills and the ability to take care of oneself. The impact of AD on individuals, families and our health care system makes the disease one of our nation’s primary medical, social and fiscal challenges.

Understanding the Reality. AD is:

• A physical disease that destroys brain cells, shuts down normal body functions and is ultimately fatal
• Not a normal part of aging
• Not limited to the elderly
• Not currently curable
• Affecting one in eight individuals over 65 years of age, and nearly half of those over 85

The Caregiver

Coping with caregiver stress becomes extremely important in the long journey of this devastating disease. A person with the disease will live an average of eight years (as many as 20). Ten signs of caregiver stress include denial about the disease and its effects on the person; anger at the person with AD or others that no cure currently exists and that people don’t understand; social withdrawal; anxiety and depression; exhaustion and irritability; sleeplessness; lack of concentration; and in many cases, overall mental and physical health problems. Some coping tasks include:

• Being knowledgeable, which is one of the most important ways to be a healthy caregiver
• Seeking the support of family, friends and community resources
• Taking care of yourself, because often, the health of the caregiver deteriorates more rapidly than the person with AD
• Accepting changes as they occur, which can be often
• Giving credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can, so don’t feel guilty because you can’t do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there.

The person with AD

People impacted by AD are often diagnosed too late and are missing the opportunity to get the best help possible. The Alzheimer’s Association recently launched Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters, which is a national education effort to increase awareness of warning signs of AD and the benefits of early detection and early diagnosis. Early detection and diagnosis of AD gives individuals the power to make choices about their own health and future. The 10 warning signs of AD include memory changes that disrupt daily life; challenges in planning or solving problems; difficulty completing familiar tasks; confusion with time or place; trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships; new problems with words in speaking or writing; misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps; decreased or poor judgment; withdrawal from work or social activities; and changes in mood and personality.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s goals are to:

• Educate everyone about the warning signs of AD, the importance of early detection and the resources available
• Invite companies and organizations to be a part of the free Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance, or AEDA. Membership means agreeing to educate employees about the importance of early detection and the 10 warning signs.
• Increase the number of people aware of AD symptoms
• Increase the number of people looking for information about AD
• Increase the number of people engaging in a dialogue with their doctors about warning signs

Understanding the reality. AD is:

• The 7th leading cause of death in America
• Responsible for $173 billion in annual costs in the United States
• Not limited to the elderly, since people in their 30s, 40s and 50s can develop the disease
• Currently affecting more than five million Americans (16 million by mid-century), resulting in 11 million AD and dementia caregivers, who provide $144 billion in unpaid care for their loved ones
• A disease someone in America develops every 70 seconds

Hope

The Alzheimer’s Association is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to AD care, support and research. We have made tremendous strides in understanding the nature of AD and some of its risk reductions. As a result, we have more accurate diagnoses and treatments, and the outlook for managing the disease is more hopeful than ever before. The Alzheimer’s Association has invested more than $265 million in AD research and is a catalyst for generating new knowledge about AD and other dementias. The San Antonio office opened in 1989 and is the leading source of information, education and support for South Texas individuals, caregivers and care professionals who face dementia every day. Help us achieve our vision of a world without AD and join our cause.

For More Information:

Alzheimer’s Association
24/7 Helpline #1-800-272-3900
San Antonio Office #210-822-6449
7400 Louis Pasteur, Ste 200 San Antonio, Texas 78229
www.alz.org and www.alz.org/txstar
Educational Workshops
Information/Referral and Care Consultations

Alzheimer Research- The largest private nonprofit funding resource
Support Groups
Medic Alert + Safe Return
Advocacy