For anyone who remembers Paul Newman’s starring role in COOL HAND LUKE, how could you forget those words, “What we’ve got here, is a failure to communicate!” 

 

Unfortunately, every 69 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. Without a mind, how can a person communicate? In 1983 President Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month. That was 29 years ago; yet how many more people do we have today who has been diagnosed with an incurable disease? How many families have lost their life savings because of the care it takes to provide for their loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease? What impact does Alzheimer’s disease have on Medicare and Medicaid?

 

Back in 1983, I was much younger. Getting old was far, far away. My focus was on family, health, education within my circle of comfort. The only thing that has stayed consistent over the years is my brain still weighs only three pounds; yet it’s a complicated organ and without the power to think, what good am I? I’m getting older too… My how time sure flies!

 

Federal Agencies must implement plans that work for the cure. Without a brain, how does one function? They don’t! What we’ve clearly got is an aging population that continues to grow in the state of being powerless because their brains do not communicate.

 

According to Texas U.S.  Congressman, Michael C. Burgess, M.D., the most valuable asset of every living person is their mind. Dr. Burgess, states that one in seven individuals with Alzheimer’s lives alone and most do not have a caregiver. He says there are more than 100 clinical trials that test ways to cure and reverse Alzheimer’s; yet out of every $3.00 spent on research, only one penny goes towards finding a cure.

 

More than 5 million Americans are stricken with Alzheimer’s. This terrible disease robs human beings of a quality life, leaving them powerless and the domino effect it has on family members and friends is horrible. The Texas Department of Health: Alzheimer’s disease Program 1-800-242-3399 provides information and resources for families and caregivers. Or you can call 1-866.AFA.8484. The Denton County Chapter in Texas meets at 11:30 on every fourth Friday of the month. Check your local county for information and resources for Chapters in your local area.

 

Alzheimer impacts ALL generations. To live in a society of people who professes to say, “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate is a financial burden and a crime.  

 

LIFE IS GOOD when you have the POWER to think and make decisions!!! Every 69 seconds someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. If you think you can put off making donations or getting informed until another time, ask yourself this question, will there still be time for me?

 

Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Certified Negotiations Expert

Patricia Feager Sells Flower Mound/DFW-TX
"The Little REALTOR That Could"
Keller Williams Realty
2611 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
www.patriciafeager.com
Direct: (469) 449-9858
FAX: (972) 350-8525

 

 

 
Posted by Patricia Feager on 11/02/2012 08:40 AM   Comments (32)   in the ActiveRain Channel   national alzheimers disease awareness month  
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32 Comments on November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

NOV
02
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alexandra,

Your story about the many friends of yours who have been afflicted with this diseases makes me realize that this is a universal problem and natural disaster in its own ongoing way. We really do need more productive research. Drug Companies can't keep coming up with pills that makes people dependent on the drug without the cure. To me, that's false hope. Research is the beginning of the solution and somebody out there has to come up with a cure.

Some times, I think we have these adverstities in life to cause just one person to find the solution to a serious problem. But it takes money, time, and energy. We must support them.

That's interesting that research shows they respond favorably to music. There must be something in the song that triggers something deep inside for every human being. Thanks Alexandra. I hope you have a great weekend too.
9:31am • #13
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Joni --- I missed your November 1 post but as soon as I read your comment, I jumped over there and suggested it.

I HOPE EVERYONE GOES TO JONI'S NOVEMBER 1ST POST - IT'S JUST AS AMAZING AS SHE IS.
9:32am • #14
630,902 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

We have all been touched knowing someone with this disease. Let's pray someday there will be a break through for a slow down or cure.

Have a nice weekend.

CEIL
9:34am • #15
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ceil --- You're right, we are all getting older and so many more of our friends and families are inflicted by this disease. It must be so hard on people who see them the same; yet they are different.

I hope you and Carl stay healthy. You're so good for each other. I consider you role models here in the rain and more people should go to your blog to find out more about you.
9:38am • #16
1,099,703 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Patricia, Alzheimer disease is so terrible, I have a friend that is fighting it now. Seems we all have friends or family that have Alzheimer.  Thanks for the reminder that this is National Alzheimer month.  Suggested.
10:28am • #17
1,225,843 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good afternoon Patricia,

We must find a cure for this awful disease! I have known several family members of friends inflicted with Alzheimer's and is horrific disease to deal with.
10:57am • #18
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rebecca - It seems like it doesn't matter who you are, within 69 seconds somebody is going to develop Alzheimer. I'm sorry for your friend. This must feel surreal and it's a good reminder to all of us to let people know how much we care about them. Once the disease progresses, there's no going back. The mind is like a sunken treasure.
11:14am • #19
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Dorrie - it must break your heart to have so many dear acquaintances of yours inflicted with Alzheimer's. At times like this, we feel helpless. I think that's why donations to find the cure is not just a choice, it's a necessity.

By helping to save others, we may potentially save our-self.
11:17am • #20
957,768 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia, we all know someone affected by this awful disease, and watching someone deteriorate slowly is a rough way to exist.     Hope researchers can develop a cure!
12:06pm • #21
781,419 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Such a horrible horrible disease!  My grandmother had it when she died.  She hadn't progressed very far, and I was grateful for that.  Best that she went when she did and didn't have to suffer through the nightmares of that too.
12:27pm • #22
760,715 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Patricia ....I think we all have someone we know that is affected by this terrible condition!!! Thanks for all you do in the Rain! Have a great night!
6:25pm • #23
NOV
03
670,111 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Patricia seen a host of those when I was in law enforcement.  Sad, sad state for those people and their loved ones. 
3:45am • #24
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sharon,

Losing a loved one to Alzheimer leaves permanent scars on the family, doesn't it? Holidays are never the same either.

Is it better to be in a coma or be awake with no memory? I shudder to say, both are frightening.
3:57am • #25
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rob --- I'm beginning to think no one is exempt from being touched by this terrible disease.

It's nice to hear from you. I hope you have a great day.
3:59am • #26
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

James --- you have been through so much, haven't you? You remind me of the time I was a Scout Leader and I took my Girl Scout Troop to a nursing home to sing Christmas Carols. Upon arrival, I sensed something was wrong by the way people were acting. We were told to sing anyway but still there was no joy.

I found out that one of the ladies who lived at the nursing home walked out the door about 10 minutes before we arrived and the police was called to find her. Later that night she was found naked, frozen to death in the snow. She was the one who had no memory. 
4:04am • #27
906,337 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia, from experience, I can say that Alzheimers is a horrendous illness that robs the person of their entire identity without them even knowing it.  Family members are often left to deal with it as caregivers while being isolated at the same time as friends and neighbors often begin to distance themselves.  Alzheimers is the plague of our times and I really hope and pray that something will be found soon to relieve people of this horrible fate.
4:56am • #28
898,591 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia - Alzheimers is a scary thing to contemplate. No-one in my family has been afflicted with it but there's always a first.  It's something we need to put more research into. Suggested.
5:21am • #29
1,310,263 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia  We can relare personally - we had a neighbot who lived alone until we all notified authorities - thankfully, he spent his last days in a nursing home that could provide the necessary care
7:24am • #30
NOV
04
423,235 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks Patricia, I think that we all have a friend or relative who is touched by this horrible disease, I hope that they find a cure soon.
7:33pm • #31
NOV
13
1,444,291 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for your efforts to make the awareness program more effective.

Have an outstanding week. Enjoy the colors of the season with your camera in hand.

Rainy day dahlia in Maryland
1:36pm • #32

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