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Participates walks for Alzheimer’s at the 30th Anniversary of the Annual Walk to Remember held at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Hidden in political commercials and campaign announcements, not seen through the issues of inflation, illegal immigration, drug infiltration and the like, are 7 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder characterized by changes in the brain that causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills. November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month, as declared in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, who succumbed to the disease five years after leaving the White House.
In the state of Louisiana, 95,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, and 168,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease. There is no better time than now to promote public awareness of Alzheimer's disease as it can decrease the stigma, facilitate timely medical interventions, accelerate research progress, and most of all, bring about a greater understanding and knowledge of the disease; thereby creating a better quality of life for affected individuals by promoting resources and support systems for caregivers. Americans have big issues with inflation, drug use and immigration, and rightly so.
However, keep in mind that as the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer's or other dementias.
By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's is projected to reach 12.7 million, barring any medical breakthroughs. Honor or share in the memory of those affected by this disease by assisting with support and/or advocacy services and programs that benefit this population and that bring about a greater awareness of this growing public health crisis.
For information, contact: Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, alzbr.org ; Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org ; or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, alzfdn.
org . DANA TERRITO Baton Rouge.
