Most people have heard of Alzheimer’s disease. It is the most common form of dementia counting for 60-80% of all dementia cases and effects 5.4 million people over the age of 65. This dreadful disease deteriorates and destroys short term memory aggressively and rapidly, causing extreme confusion and depression amongst sufferers and intense strain and stress amongst caregivers. These facts perhaps are more obvious, but what people don’t realize is that new studies are showing that more and more people under the age of 65 are developing this disease. In fact, people as young as 40 are being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and make up for 200,000 of the Alzheimer cases. Why am I telling you this information? Well, one day, I was sitting in my Social Casework class and our professor brought in an advocate for this disease. She stood up in front of the class and shocked me with her information. She brought devastating and mind-blowing facts to my attention and now I want to bring awareness to this topic and explain how this disease just doesn’t effect “old” people. This process is starting earlier than ever before and preventive measures and care should be taken to help it so we can as a whole decrease these numbers. Scientific research and medicine is always advancing but this disease is one the most expensive costs to fund. Public awareness, support and compassion must be part of the formula in fighting and finding a cure. What are some ways you can help even if you can’t put money towards research and programs?

• Go out and do some of your own research if you do not know much about it. There are many sources to educate yourself deeper on this disease. Have the knowledge and know the signs.
• After you become more educated, become an advocate. Become a voice, a promoter and a fighter for people who can’t do it on their own.
• Participate in organizational walks and campaigns against it. Just by participating, you are doing so much more than you think.

If you know anyone in your family or friend group already with Alzheimer’s, always stay compassionate because though it is hard for you to witness this disease, it is also hard for them to understand the disease themselves. Support and consistent compassion care and love is crucial. So I hope this article gave you a sliver of awareness and a few facts that have stirred an interest inside to find out more. Once you do, spread the knowledge. Here is a few links to some great websites to find out more:

http://www.alz.org

https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

http://alzfdn.org/