One of the hardest things I can imagine going through, is having a loved one not recognize you or be the same person you’ve know all your life and it happens all too often for so many. Alzheimer’s disease afflicts more than 5.2 million Americans, plus untold millions more among their families, friends and caregivers. It’s a devastating ailment that wipes out memories, destroys loving relationships among families, and finally robs people of the basic ability to take care of themselvers and maintain personal dignity. It is the only condition among the top 10 causes of death that has no cure or treatment. Such a sad hard things got go through in life.
What you may not know is that Alzhimer’s disease is under the umbrella of Demenia along with Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Demensia and Vascular Dementia. All of these diseases are devastating and debilitating. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death and in the top 10 causes of death that cannot be treated or prevented, and every 67 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Those are some very scary statistics.
One in nine Americans age 65 and older lives with Alzheimer’s disease. If current trends continue, 16 million Americans will suffer from the disease by 2050. At the same time, research has progressed to the point that changes can be detected in the brain associated with the disease one or two decades BEFORE the first signs of Alzheimer’s.
As a result, research into Alzheimer’s prevention is now at a crucial turning point and the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry needs your help!
• With Alzheimer’s research a government priority, some of the nation’s most respected research organizations have formed collaborative relationships to accelerate their work. The Registry is an example of this kind of collaboration, bringing together top organizations to support and advance Alzheimer’s prevention research.
• After years of research, we understand better the timeline, course and impact of Alzheimer’s disease.
• A surge of prevention studies is just around the corner.
• Alzheimer’s develops in the brain long before symptoms ever surface, which means there is no time to waste – for any of us. With a goal of enrolling 250,000 people, the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry is a platform for those ready to take part in prevention research and prove that there is power in numbers.
My Grandmother suffered from Demensia that was probably never properly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s. It was so sad to see her start to lose her memory bit by bit to eventually not even knowing what period of time it was in her life and not knowing those around her. It’s heartbreaking to know that the Grandmother that you grew up with loving you and caring for you didn’t even know you anymore. I am sure there are many of you that have been touched at some point by this disease and I urge you to join the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry today. It’s easy and you can help make a difference in the lives of so many! Do it for someone you love who has suffered from Alzheimer’s. Do it to help spare others the debilitating effects of the disease. From birthdays and graduations, to weddings and children, our lives are filled with precious memories. But Alzheimer’s has the power to erase them. Please join the Registry today – the memories you save could be your own.
Disclosure: I was provided incentive to participate in the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute briefing – however, all opinions and info are my own.
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