ARTICLES | UPDATES

We would love to hear from you on Over 50 topics you would like us to write about. 
Email us at coloradospringsover50@gmail.com 
  COLORADO SPRINGS OVER 50
  • Home
  • GALLERY
    • Gallery
  • News / Articles / Events
    • Articles
    • Events
    • Join Mailing List
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletters
  • Community
    • Directory
    • Professional Networking Links
    • Senior Retail Discounts
    • Senior Food Discounts
    • Senior Grocery Discounts
    • Over 50 Clubs & Activities
    • Continuing Education Opportunities - Over 50
    • Things To Do
    • Business Catalogs
  • |
  • Membership
    • Join Us Today
    • Member Advertiser's Area
    • Coupons
    • ^ Fan Page
    • Advertising Value Report
    • Chamber’s Welcome Center
    • Member Support
  • Contact
  • Login

5 Myths About Alzheimer's Disease

1/12/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Despite being the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and despite being the single largest risk to the health of our Medicare system, Alzheimer’s disease is not widely understood. Even some of the people most clearly at risk will go to great lengths to maintain a distance from the illness.

“Callers to our Helpline sometimes won’t even give us their name,” said Meg Donahue, director of Community Engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, which operates the Association’s free multi-language Helpline that is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year to provide information and counsel to individuals who have questions or concerns about their own or a loved one’s mental health.

“For some, acknowledging their concerns about memory loss may be an admission of their worst fears – that they have Alzheimer’s disease,” said Donahue. “For that reason, many people don’t want to address the subject. But it’s important for people to realize that there can be other causes of memory loss, making it crucial to get a doctor’s diagnosis.”

Yes, Alzheimer’s deserves its fearsome reputation. It kills more people annually than breast and
prostate cancers combined. More than 6 million people in the United States, including 76,000
Coloradans, are living with the disease which currently has no prevention or cure. And caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is currently taking 1 of every 5 Medicare dollars – a total expected to rise to $1 of $3 by 2050 if a cure is not found.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest non-governmental source of funding for research to find a
cure for the disease. That research is ongoing. Until a cure is found, people should be aware of some common myths regarding Alzheimer’s:

Myth 1: Memory loss is a normal part of aging
Reality: While it’s normal to have occasional memory challenges as we age, such as forgetting names of
someone you just met, when that memory loss disrupts one’s daily life, that is a cause for concern. The frequent memory loss that is part of Alzheimer’s results in needing to rely on memory aids or family members for things that one previously handled on their own.

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s is not a fatal disease
Reality: Alzheimer’s disease is America’s sixth-leading cause of death – ahead of breast and prostate cancers combined. It slowly destroys brain cells, ultimately leading to the loss of body functions and death.

Myth 3: Alzheimer’s only affects the elderly
Reality: 6.2 million Americans over age 65 are living with Alzheimer’s. More than 200,000 additional
people in the U.S. under age 65 are living with the disease.
 
Myth 4: The risk from Alzheimer’s is the same for everyone
Reality: While the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s is aging, some population groups are at greater risk than others. Black Americans are twice as likely as Whites to be diagnosed, and Hispanic-Latinos are 50 percent more likely. And, as a group, two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

Myth 5: I can ignore the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and get by
Reality: Some people are able to temporarily work around the memory loss and other symptoms of
Alzheimer’s, compensating in other ways, but delaying diagnosis is detrimental because it also delays access to medications, supportive services, planning and other resources that help both the person with Alzheimer’s as well as caregivers and loved ones. Delaying the diagnosis does not delay the progression of the disease.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and services available through the Alzheimer’s Association, go to www.alz.org or call the free 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900. All programs are available to families at no charge.
 
#  #  #
 
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the more than 6.2 million people in the United States with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no charge to families. In addition, contributions help fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. For information call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 bilingual Helpline at
800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018

    Categories

    All
    Baby Boomers
    Baby Boomers Reminiscing
    Eat And Drink
    Exercising The Mind
    Finances
    Healthy Living
    Holidays
    Home Decorating
    Housing Option
    Recipes
    Things To Do
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Colorado Springs Over 50

Contact

Cell(s):  719.244.6798 or
​720.530.4097
Email Address - coloradospringsover50@gmail.com 
Website Privacy Policy | Site Map
Technology by Chamber Nation
  • Home
  • GALLERY
    • Gallery
  • News / Articles / Events
    • Articles
    • Events
    • Join Mailing List
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletters
  • Community
    • Directory
    • Professional Networking Links
    • Senior Retail Discounts
    • Senior Food Discounts
    • Senior Grocery Discounts
    • Over 50 Clubs & Activities
    • Continuing Education Opportunities - Over 50
    • Things To Do
    • Business Catalogs
  • |
  • Membership
    • Join Us Today
    • Member Advertiser's Area
    • Coupons
    • ^ Fan Page
    • Advertising Value Report
    • Chamber’s Welcome Center
    • Member Support
  • Contact
  • Login