September is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month; Alzheimer's Action Day is September 21.
During World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in September, you can help fight the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease, educate others about the disease, and begin to change the way we look at Alzheimer's. Help us to create a conversation across the globe:
• Speak up about the facts: Alzheimer’s is NOT normal aging or “a little memory loss,” it is a progressive and fatal disease. • Share your story about overcoming stigma around Alzheimer’s disease at alz.org/WAM. • Visit alz.org/WAM for tips on how to handle stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.
Go Purple with a Purpose and help us raise awareness in our community and give honor to those who are caregivers.
There are an estimated 46.8 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2015 and over 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide, implying one new case every 3.2 seconds.
Research shows that most people currently living with dementia have not received a formal diagnosis. It is suggested that approximately three quarters of people with dementia have not received a diagnosis, and therefore do not have access to treatment, care and organized support that getting a formal diagnosis can provide.
• An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease in 2015. Of the 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer's).
• Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women. Of the 5.1 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's in the United States, 3.2 million are women and 1.9 million are men.
• Although there are more non-Hispanic whites living with Alzheimer's and other dementias than people of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, older African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
• It is the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
• Only 45% of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis.
10 Warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure 4. Confusion with time or place 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps 8. Decreased or poor judgment 9. Withdrawn from work or social activities 10. Changes in mood or personality
If you notice any of the warning signs in yourself or someone you know, don't ignore them! Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified neurologists today at (910) 265-6868 or visit our website at www.pinehurstneurology.com to learn more.
With early detection, you can get the maximum benefit from available treatments – You can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer.