Alzheimer’s disease is a global crisis, and you are hearing more and more about it in your personal lives and on the news. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in the United States alone, more than six million individuals live with Alzheimer’s disease, and eleven million people serve as their unpaid caregivers.
Globally, the disease impacts an estimated fifty million people. Currently, more than eleven million Americans are providing unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and Alzheimer’s impacts caregivers both at home and at work.
More than 80% of care provided at home is delivered by family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers. In addition, over half of employed caregivers report having to go in late, take time off, or quit altogether due to caregiver demands. These caregivers provided more than sixteen billion hours of care last year, valued at $272 billion.
Dementia is a general term for a collection of symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging; it is a progressive brain disease.
A diagnosis of dementia requires further testing to identify the specific disease or condition causing the symptoms. It is important to seek an accurate, early diagnosis! Alzheimer’s causes nerve cells to die, which leads to shrinkage in the brain. The brain changes result in changes in memory, thinking, and behavior. Although Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for the disease. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years, and thirty-four percent of people eighty-five and older have Alzheimer’s. In addition to the main risk factors for the general population, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s. Research shows that Black Americans are about twice as likely as White Americans to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and Hispanic Americans are one and a half times as likely. Because everyone experiences Alzheimer’s differently, there are treatments that work in varying degrees and are not effective for everyone. It is important for people who are interested in learning more about their diagnosis and treatment options to have a conversation with their healthcare professional.
To help, the Penn State Extension will be hosting the following seminars:
– August 6, 2024: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia; 3:30-4:30 pm.
– September 3, 2024: Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal and Financial Planning; 4:00-5:00 pm.
– October 1, 2024: Alzheimer’s Disease: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body; 4:00-5:00 pm.
Location: Friendship Community Library 127 Main Street Beech Creek, PA 16822
Registration is FREE. To register, Contact Courtney at Friendship@rosslibary.org or 570-962-2048 by the Friday before the workshop date.
Presenter: Laurie Welch, Penn State Extension
Penn State Extension is an outreach arm of Penn State University under the College of Agricultural Sciences. Extension is part of a national land grant university system, and every state and the District of Columbia has at least one Extension service affiliated with a land grant university. The mission of the Extension service is to translate the research and developments from the university into useful information for the larger community. The Penn State Extension delivers unbiased, science-based information to individuals, businesses, and communities. Every one of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties has an Extension office open to the public. Check with your local Extension office for hours of operation. You can also find articles, webinars, and other resources at their website: Extension.psu.edu.
