In a landmark for the field, new criteria and
guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease have been published -
for the first time in 27 years - by three expert workgroups spearheaded by the
Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Alzheimer's Association believes this
moves us significantly closer to our goal of eventually detecting and treating
Alzheimer's before people experience the disease's devastating symptoms.
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading
voluntary
health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our
mission is
to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to
provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the
risk
of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's.
For over 25 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit Alzheimer's Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.
To show your support and help to make others aware of the Alzheimer's cause, wear purple.
Do you worry that you or someone you know will develop Alzheimer's disease? The staggering projections for the growth of Alzheimer's are good reason for concern.
The country's first baby boomers turned 65 on Jan. 1 placing them at an elevated level of risk for developing Alzheimer's. With a rapidly aging population, Alzheimer's will continue to grow and impact millions of Americans.
Funding for Alzheimer care, support and research is vital to keep pace with this devastating epidemic. A monthly gift can continue your support of the Alzheimer's Association in the critical years ahead:
It's easy - The monthly donation amount you specify is charged to your credit card automatically
It's productive - Monthly giving reduces the need for regular appeals, so your money goes even further
It makes a difference - Recurring donations help ensure that we provide much-needed services to the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and their families
Alzheimer's is the country's sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Yet there is no way to prevent it, cure it or slow its progression.
Caregivers are the unsung heroes of chronic illness and their role is never more critical - or more challenging than when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. To pay tribute, we have created a special online Honoring Caregivers page, where you can post a message in support of a caregiver. Filled with resources, this page also offers a place for caregivers, family, friends and those affected by Alzheimer's to learn, connect and support one another.
Many people face the challenges of Alzheimer caregiving - the loss, loneliness, frustration and fear, as well as the joys. This post from the Facebook page is a poignant commentary on their daily experience. Having a loved one with this horrible disease is like grieving their loss over and over and over every single day. Love your caretaker.
It's a reminder of why we should take a few moments to support a caregiver this month. Visit the Honoring Caregivers page to Write a Tribute: Share your support by posting a message about the person you're caring for, your own caregiver, or a family member or friend who takes care of someone with Alzheimer's.
Show your support with this 3.5" x 8" Alzheimer's Awareness Ribbon Magnet. It's manufactured and printed in the U.S.A. on premium quality, super-thick (.030) magnetic material with UV protected inks.
Alzheimer's disease is the
6th leading cause of death
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, 74,632
Americans died of Alzheimer's disease in 2007.
An Obesity Gene, Known as FTO, Also May Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia
A gene known as FTO, which appears to be correlated with obesity in humans, may also increase risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, according to new research presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 (AAICAD 2010) in Honolulu, HI. And when a person has certain variants of both FTO and a recognized Alzheimer's risk gene known as APOE, the risk of Alzheimer's could be doubled.
"While scientists know Alzheimer's involves progressive brain cell
failure, they have not yet identified any single reason why cells fail,"
said Maria Carrillo, PhD, senior
director of Medical and Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer's
Association. "However, there is evidence about certain factors that may
increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's."
"This is a fascinating early finding, which fits with the known
connections between heart health and brain health," Carrillo said. - Full Story
SO WHAT TO DO? WELL OF COURSE START WITH EXERCISE.
Explore our new Research Center
Interested in learning more about the latest advances that will shape the future of Alzheimer's?
This innovative website combines rich visuals with easy-to-understand content on a wide array of current research topics and studies.
Join a Clinical Trial
Alzheimer's Association Trial Match educates individuals with
Alzheimer's about the studies of potential treatments before they are
widely available. It is the only tool of its kind specifically for
Alzheimer's disease.
BE AN ADVOCATE
Join the Association E-Advocacy
network.
BE AN ADVOCATE
The 24/7 Helpline serves
people with memory loss,
caregivers, health
professionals and the public. Call toll-free
1.800.272.3900
Are you or someone you know planning a wedding? Has he or she been affected by Alzheimer's disease? Many of us want to remember and honor the special people in our lives on our wedding day. That's why they've created a wedding tribute tool and a wedding store - for all the brides and grooms who want to honor a loved one by donating to the Alzheimer's Association.
You will never meet an Alzheimer's survivor - there are none.
Brain health is critical, but when people think about wellness, they often think about the neck down. Yet brain health has a dominant impact on quality of life.
The latest and greatest yet in location issues with an Alzheimer's person. This has been designed specifically for people with Alzheimer's in mind. Very reasonable in costs make this device the help that all those dealing with Dementia's have been looking for.
Alzheimer's Pin - Wear It
Donate for an awareness pin and get the word out.
Help end Alzheimer's - A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Want to do something for yourself? Read - anything - just read. Also, play computer games or find a hobby to keep your mind and body active. DON'T watch a lot of TV.
True story - and a point to be made.
Paso Robles, Ca. It's 4th of July weekend and we're over next door to
enjoy the pool after we finish putting on a roof for our neighbors
cabana (cabana's a whole other story). It's hotter than hades but
what's new for July in Paso. The whole family's coming over but the
Grandma's have to do a little shopping.
Easier said than done but we decide to bring my 98 year old Grandma over
(Great Grandma to some & even Great Great but I digress) to at
least sit under the shade while the boys play in the pool and the big
boys pound away on the cabana roof. BTW, we had spectacular views of
the North County.
This is on a hill so all the properties have small hills for backyards
and this is no different. So we (myself and Steve) have to haul (let's
just call it carry) Grandma up to the pool - uh, there's no ramp, just
lots of steps or a long walk through the orchard. Grandma could no more
walk up or down those stairs for anything as she barely could get
around with a walker.
All's fine ... until Melinda has to run back to the house. Remember,
the 3 of us guys (including my Dad) are up pounding nails and the boys
are frolicking in the pool (its a very cool pool, with rocks and
waterfalls etc).
I'm knee-deep trying to finish when Steve, who's at the top of the
cabana, says "she's making a run for it" every 30 seconds or so
repeating that and "Grandma's making an escape, she's on the run". I
finally ask what the heck he's talking about and then peer over the top
of the cabana to see, you guessed it, Grandma's already all the way to
the bottom and now walking across the lawn heading for the house ...
with no walker!
OK, I'll admit for about a minute or two, while stumbling to get her
walker and trying to call the house and find out where Melinda went, I'm
shocked looking down at the impossible - How in heck did she get down
that hill and across the yard without the walker? She would have kept
going but a fence and rose bushes stopped her getaway (& yea, she
was grabbing onto these giant rose bushes to steady herself). And note
she did all this with Melinda having been gone less than 5 minutes.
Never shy to goof around.
She was fine if a little winded but without any scrapes. An angel or
two were looking after her for sure but here's something to remember.
People with dementia (including the biggest one Alzheimer's) have to be
looked after constantly and what happens in that blink of an eye - it
can be perilous.
Grandma's in heaven now and to this day, we haven't a clue as to how
someone who needed help to go down just ONE step at a time, went a
couple hundred feet down a hill and through a yard. She would have
said: "Well, from the time I was 3, I lived in Baker Montana". I guess
that was it.
