November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you know all too well the challenges and struggles which they face every day. Not only is the disease difficult on them, it can take a toll on the family members as well.
The month is set aside to educate people on the realities of Alzheimer’s disease, to ensure that people understand the early warning signs, and to provide support and encouragement.
In 1993, President Ronald Reagan designated November was named National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
Now in 2019, there are more than 5 million people living with this disease in our country. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America, and is unfortunately afflicting more people every day. It is the number one cause of dementia here in our country, and comprises 65% of dementia globally.
Surprising Facts Regarding Alzheimer’s Disease
1) Alzheimer’s is usually not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease. While the average time from onset until death is 14 years, most patients are not diagnosed until they have been affected for about 10 years. The lesions on the brain have generally progressed so far at that point, that many of even the most promising treatments will not be effective. Catching Alzheimer’s disease early on is key to making your loved one’s life easier and ore fulfilling.
2) Alzheimer’s is generally diagnosed so late because people think memory loss is normal as we age. It may surprise you to learn that memory loss is not a part of the normal aging process. Also. many people avoid looking for diagnosis and treatment for fear of the stigma, or because they are in a state of denial about the early warning signs. If National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month can help to improve awareness and education, timely medical intervention may be able to improve prognosis.
3) Most people think Alzheimer’s disease cannot be treated. Because we tend to diagnose this disease in the later stages, most people think that it cannot be treated. The fact is that current Alzheimer’s drugs are more effective than you may realize. Once late-term patients have experienced extensive brain damage from a decade of lesions, the medications are far less effective. However, in patients who have been diagnosed in the early stages, the current treatments can have positive effects. We still need research and a cure – but early intervention will help significantly in most people. Combining a healthy diet, physical exercise, social engagement, and certain drugs, many patients can slow the course of Alzheimer’s and preserve their quality of life.
4 ) New Alzheimer’s drugs are being developed right now. Some very promising drugs are currently in FDA clinical trials, even if a cure is still not visible. Better treatments for Alzheimer’s are on the way, so maintaining a quality of life is more important than ever.
5) There are many things you can do to protect your brain. Your brain health is related to your overall physical health – in particular, your heart health. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity are all possible contributors to a decline in brain health; as the correct circulation of oxygen-rich blood plays an important role in maintaining a healthy brain. Other risk factors, such as diabetes, head injuries, smoking, poor diet, lethargy, and isolation can be identified and treated – which will help to protect your brain. The purpose of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to remind people to take care of themselves now, and to take steps which will protect their cognitive health in the future.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and you are looking for a quality memory care facility, we invite you to tour A Banyan Residence of Venice.
