According to the US National Institutes of Health there are 7 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease that when seen in combination with each other, should encourage you to ask your healthcare provider about the possibility of Alzheimer's disease. These 7 Warning Signs Are NOT Meant To Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease! The 7 warning signs are:
1. Asking the same question over and over again.
2. Repeating the same story, word for word, again and again.
3. Forgetting how to cook, or how to make repairs, or how to play cards — activities that were previously done with ease and regularity.
4. Losing one's ability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook.
5. Getting lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects.
6. Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are still clean.
7. Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer questions they previously would have handled themselves.
Though science is constantly making advances in medicine, the awful affliction of Alzheimer's disease can affect anyone. The cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unclear. Most research is focusing on the change in brain chemistry as we age; particularly the neurotransmitters that allow nerve cells in the brain to communicate properly. Most people with the disease do not have a family history of Alzheimer's disease though it is thought that a family history of Alzheimer's disease could put you at greater risk. According to the Alzheimer's Association, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease every 71 seconds! And Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. According to WebMD, there are currently no medicines that can cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease. In patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, some medications, primarily cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Razadyne, Excelon and Cognex) in combination with memantine (Namenda) have shown some temporary improvement in thinking and daily functioning.
This horrible disease slowly robs the sufferer of both their dignity and life. To further add insult to injury, the Alzheimer's sufferer usually knows that they are afflicted and what that will mean. This knowledge can often lead to depression. According to WebMD it is believed that half of all Alzheimer's disease patients suffer from depression.
The sufferers' loved ones, who are frequently the early caregivers, can oftentimes see the signs of deterioration. In an effort to raise awareness of this widespread disease and money for research, the Alzheimer's Association holds Memory Walks all around the country. The Alzheimer's Memory Walk generally take place in the fall. Here are a few locations and dates (if you click on the Alzheimer's Association banner you can find when the walk takes place in your area and how to participate or volunteer)
Maryville, TN 09-27-2008 @ Maryville College Campus
Nashville, TN 10-25-2008 @ Centennial Park
Lynchburg, VA 09-20-2008 @ Riverside Park
Green Bay, WI 09-20-2008 @ Brown County Reforestation Camp & N.E.W. Zoo
Blue Ridge, GA 10-11-2008 @ Blue Ridge Pavillion
Atlanta, GA 10-18-2008 @ Chastain Park
Hilo, HI 09-20-2008 @ Prince Kuhio Plaza
Wichita, KS 10-04-2008 @ Sedgwick County Zoo
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Rich, It's so nice that they're having a walk. This is a terrible disorder, my grandfather had it and he did forget how to play checkers. When he was in his late 70's my father bought him a birthday cake decorated with kids toys---his face just lit up! But it was mostly very sad to watch him.