November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November has been designated National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to remind Americans to update our understanding of this all too common disease, and be better informed.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and can affect anyone at any age. A degenerative disorder that attacks the brain, Alzheimer’s causes mild memory loss in the early stages and progresses over time, leading to debilitating memory loss, inability to carry on conversation and respond to surroundings, and over the course of 4 to 20 years, death. When multiple symptoms of Alzheimer’s affect a person, the condition is called dementia, and their ability to reason, solve problems, and perform everyday tasks is affected. Although Alzheimer’s is still a terminal disease, research continues to lead to new treatment methods capable of slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life for patients.

New Yorkers living with Alzheimer’s need better treatment, care, and understanding and are urged to join in learning more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options associated with Alzheimer’s not only during the month of November, but all year long.

For more information about Alzheimer’s and dementia, please visit the NYS Department of Health websites:

• http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/conditions/dementia/ 
• http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp#basics