ALZHEIMER’S: Nota normal part of aging

America. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and it is the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease. In fact, by the time you read this article, another person will develop the disease. In the United States, someone develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds. Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that attacks the brain. It is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. There are different stages aging. The 10 warning signs someone should watch for are: memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgement, withdrawal from work or social activities, and changes in mood and personality. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these signs.

30 to 40 percent of Douglas County, WI residents will be 60 years of age or older. With this increase, it is likely there will also be an increased number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Creating a supportive environment for someone living with the disease will help ensure they live as independently as possible, decrease the stigma associated with the diagnosis and remain engaged in the community.

One way to support someone with the disease is to become educated. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Douglas County is partnering with the Douglas County Caregiver Coalition to carry out its mission to all caregivers of older adults and empower them through support, education, advocacy, and awareness of community resources. One focus of the coalition is the dementia-friendly community initiative. The coalition is offering free training to businesses and organizations to become a dementiafriendly business. Training includes recognizing signs and symptoms of dementia, how to communicate with someone who has the disease, how to create a dementia-friendly environment, and to learn about local resources. Businesses completing the training will receive a certificate and receive a “We are Dementia Friendly” window cling. For more information on becoming a dementia friendly business or to learn more about the Douglas County Caregiver Coalition, contact the Douglas County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 715-395-1234 or adrc@ douglascountywi.org.

In St. Louis County, Dementia Friendly Duluth is a community initiative that aims to make the community more aware, informed, sensitive and supportive of people experiencing and caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For more information about this initiative, visit www.dementiafriendlyduluth.org. D