As we age, memories can become more elusive. We compensate. Lists on the refrigerator. Reminders to ourselves. Sticky notes all over. But what happens when memory loss begins to disrupt our daily lives? When we have difficulty completing familiar tasks? When we have trouble retracing our steps? Where can you turn for knowledgeable and confidential counsel, and emotional support, on what lies ahead? That’s where the Alzheimer’s Association can help. The Association and its free 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) is the best source for confidential information from professional staff trained to help with questions about memory loss and what steps individuals – or family members – can take to determine if the issue could be related to dementia or another, more routine cause. “There are a number of factors that could play a role in memory loss, ranging from nutritional deficiencies, stress and changes in medications to severe events such as a stroke,” said Jeff Bird, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. “All memory loss isn’t necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s disease, so we always recommend that people speak with their family doctor.” Blacks at higher risk Of those affected by dementia, nearly two-thirds are women. African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to be diagnosed, and Hispanic-Latinos are 50% more likely to receive a diagnosis than whites. Higher rates of cardiovascular disease
and diabetes are believed to be contributing factors for this increased risk of developing dementia, although researchers are exploring stress and socioeconomic conditions as other considerations. Researchers are hoping to increase the number of Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and other communities in Alzheimer’s research to help determine if the medications and treatments involved in ongoing research studies would be more or less effective in different population groups. The Alzheimer’s Association has a free clinical trial matching service, TrialMatch, which connects individuals living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and health volunteers to clinical trials that may advance Alzheimer’s research. The service is free. Information is available by calling the Association’s Helpline. Helpline staff can field questions in more than 200 languages. If, ultimately, the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, Helpline staff can provide connections to an extensive network of local services and information resources that can help families. How pervasive is the Alzheimer’s challenge? Alzheimer’s disease is arguably the most challenging health issue facing the United States and the world today. It is the seventh-leading cause of death, and only leading disease without a prevention or cure. Today, an estimated 55 million people around the world are living with Alzheimer’s, including nearly 7 million in the U.S. and 76,000 Coloradans. The disease kills more people annually than breast and prostate cancers combined. It is estimated that more than 1 in 9 people in the U.S. (11.3%) age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease. The cost of caring for those individuals is enormous. Currently, nearly $1 of every $5 in Medicare funds is spent on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. By 2050, that is projected to increase to $1 of every $3 if a cure is not found.
24 The Acumen
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