It’s been called “The Long Goodbye”.  Alzheimer’s disease…it’s a thief that robs you of your memories, robs you of your dignity, and robs your family of its emotional and financial stability. 

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Contrary to popular belief, memory loss is not a part of normal aging — it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. And while the vast majority of AD sufferers are over the age of 65, up to 5% of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer’s, which appears in people between 40 and 60 years of age.

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is difficulty remembering newly learned information because AD typically manifests itself first in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer’s advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes, deepening confusion about events, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking.   

As any family will tell you, more than the individual diagnosed with AD is impacted: spouses, children, and grandchildren are all victims of Alzheimer’s and the burden of care often falls on their shoulders. They most often become the primary caregivers for a loved one and pay a tremendous price for doing so. They are often forced to give up their jobs. They become isolated, anxious, physically exhausted, and emotionally drained. 
Currently, there are more than 25,000 individuals in Camden County living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter is here to help and support these families.

The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter is headquartered in Philadelphia with regional offices located in Marlton and Northfield, New Jersey. The Chapter is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s by supporting research efforts that will lead to a cure, but also by focusing on training and education to families and professional caregivers through support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, family caregiver and professional trainings, educational conferences, and care consultation services. Many of these programs and services are offered free-of-charge. 

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is crucial and it is vitally important for everyone to know the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s:  memory changes that disrupt daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, trouble visualizing images, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and the inability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgment, withdrawal from work or social activities, and changes in mood or personality. If you have questions about any of these warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support, and future planning.  

Article by Mary McKee, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter or to request literature, please call 1-800-272-3900 or visit  www.alz.org/desjsepa.