Alzheimer's steals minds, creates burdens

Imagine what life would be like if your brain began to gradually shut down, with no reason as to why.

Living with an incurable disease provides many challenges affecting everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is no exception.

The Alzheimer's Association raises awareness about the disease and assists Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

"We are really there as a support system for the caregivers ... we provide resources for them such as education packets, seminars, and support groups," said Tiffany Maicke, of the Tullahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, which is a United Way of Bedford County member agency.

Alzheimer's is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906, according to the official Alzheimer's Association web site www.alz.org.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and a fatal brain disease affecting as many as five million people -- a number which increases every year. It destroys brain cells and causes problems with memory, behavior and thinking abilities.

Alzheimer's disease starts out small but gradually over time gets worse and is in many cases severe enough to affect a person's work and social life.

The ten warning signs of Alzheimer's are as follows, according to the web site:

1.Memory Loss;

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks;

3. Problems with language;

4. Disorientation to time and place;

5. Poor or decreased judgment;

6. Problems with abstract thinking;

7. Misplacing things;

8. Changes in mood or behavior;

9. Changes in personality; and

10. Loss of initiative.

Alzheimer's recently surpassed diabetes as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

It also is the most known and common form of dementia and memory loss.

One in 10 people age 65 and over will develop Alzheimer's.

While there still is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, that doesn't mean there isn't hope.

Treatments are available for those suffering from Alzheimer's and can make life better and easier to handle the disease.

It still is not certain where the problems begin.

As the damage of Alzheimer's spreads, brain cells begin to lose their ability to function properly. Ultimately, the cells die.

For those who would like to assist the Alzheimer's Association, a number of volunteer opportunities are available, from data entry to facilitating support groups or attending health fairs.

Memory Walks are held to raise money for the association and its mission of research and support.

"People need to recognize Alzheimer's as a disease that we have to stop now so it will not affect our children and future generations," said Maicke.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

To contact the Alzheimer's Association call (931) 455-3345 or toll free (800) 272-3900; mail to 201 W. Lincoln St., Tullahoma; or go to www.alz.org. For more information about United Way of Bedford County, or to make a donation, call (931) 684-6685.