Join us in the Fight to End Alzheimer’s

by Abigail Gilg

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain by slowly destroying memories, thinking skills, and eventually the ability to perform simple tasks. It is currently ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. About 5.8 million people in the US over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and changes to the brain can begin up to a decade before diagnosis.

Some cases of Alzheimer’s lead to a diagnosis of dementia, which is the loss of cognitive functioning according to the National Institute of Health. This affects things such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning and limits abilities to the extent it interferes with a person’s daily life. 

Symptoms and changes in a person with Alzheimer’s are:

• Depression
• Social withdrawal
• Mood swings
• Irritability and aggressiveness
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Loss of inhibitions
• Repeating statements and questions over and over
• Forget conversations and events
• Get lost in familiar places
• Eventually, forget the names of family members and everyday objects
• Struggle to find the right words when identifying objects or expressing thoughts

No treatment cures Alzheimer’s disease or changes the process in the brain. In the advanced stages of the disease, there are complications due to the person’s loss of brain function which ultimately results in death. 

Augusta Health is a proud sponsor of our local walk for the Alzheimer’s Association. This year’s event is being held at Murphy Deming from 8 am-11 am on September 24th. Click here to find out more about the walk, to join our team (search for Augusta Health) or to donate.