The mission of the Alzheimer's Association is "a world without Alzheimer's disease," according to the organization's website. Individuals and businesses fund the nonprofit organization, that in turn funds research and local programs.
According to the organization's website, the Alzheimer's Association began in 1980 with a budget of only $75,000 and only seven chapters located in Boston, Columbus, Minneapolis, New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Seattle. It was that same year that major medical organizations began looking at the disease. The National Institute of Health allotted $13 million for Alzheimer's research. The nonprofit organization now has more than 600 chapters across the nation and is a multi-million dollar institution. According to the Alzheimer's Association website, since its inception the organization has funded more than 1,400 projects totaling more than $185 million.
Ironically, the most famous person stricken with the disease gave the Alzheimer's Association one of its biggest public-awareness boosts. The first National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Week was declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. Later Reagan would be the most famous Alzheimer's patient in the world.
Through its local chapters, the Alzheimer's Association offers support groups, referral services and free information to the public. The local chapters and the national Alzheimer's Association rely on tax-deductible donations and fundraisers to continue funding research, offer support and educate the public about Alzheimer's.
Many communities across the nation participate in the annual Memory Walk, an Alzheimer's Association fundraiser that remembers those suffering from the disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than $200 million has been raised by Memory Walk since 1989.
After many highly-publicized stories of Alzheimer's patients wandering away from their homes or nursing homes, the organization began the Alzheimer's Association Safe Return program which works much like similar programs for children. Family members pay $40 to enroll their loved one in the program. The Alzheimer's Association provides 24-hour, 365-day support if the patient becomes missing. Their information is given to local authorities by the Alzheimer's Association to help in the search. The enrolled patient is given an identification bracelet or necklace and iron-on clothing labels.
The Alzheimer's Association also refers caregivers to families needing support. Not only does the Alzheimer's Association have a list of agencies and individuals providing care, but the organization also has information on how to pay for care, the different types of care available and answers about how to handle tax liability.
The Alzheimer's Association also has a support line that is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By calling 1-800-272-3900, family members and those affected by Alzheimer's can get information and referrals. When family members are overwhelmed and patients are confused about the effects of the disease, the first place they usually call is Alzheimer's Association.
On the part of the patient, the initial Alzheimer's symptom that can be very frightening is the realization that something is happening to their memory. Although simple forgetfulness is not the only Alzheimer's symptom to look for, but it reaches the degree as even forgetting the names of people that the patient sees often, then the condition is a possible Alzheimer's symptom. The Alzheimer's symptom starts off with slight memory loss and confusion. It then ultimately leads to severe and irreversible mental impairment if left to develop without any form of initial treatment.
The first two stages may last for four years. However, when this happens more frequently, the patient could already be in the third or fourth stage and this is just going to get worse. A simple example could be if the individual is unable to complete a simple task that was easily done in the past like doing some basic arithmetic.
People will definitely notice the changes. This is the reason some family members take shifts watching over the loved one or get a nurse to watch over the person.
Meanwhile, other research have associated trauma as a factor that increases the risk of acquiring the disease. There are also evidences which suggest that lack of exercise increases the risk factor of Alzheimer's. It is important to avoid high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels folate in order to decrease the risk of developing the disease.
Within the course of the disease, the sufferer will go through a whole range of deterioration from slight short term memory loss to the loss of normal bodily functions that cause complications and infections that then turns into death.
What activities are done in the care facility? For starters, memory exercises will be done so the patient can still remember the names of the family members. A basic one will be through the use of flash cards that have the name and photo of the person.
The worse part about the disorder during this stage is that the person will act like a baby. Tantrums may be thrown but the worse part is seeing the patient defecate on his or herself. The caretaker will have to clean up the mess as though the person was an infant and are advised to use adult diapers, which is more convenient when cleaning up the mess.
It is important to be on the lookout for early signs of Alzheimers if you or someone you care for is nearing the age of 65 or if there is known cases al Alzheimers in the family.
As a loved one of someone who has Alzheimers type dementia, it can be very hard and painful to witness the progressing of the disease. This may cause some negative emotions and a lot of grief that may be unwittingly projected at the patient.
Both Riley Hendersen & Garland Choate are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Riley Hendersen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Phones, Recreation and Sports and Home Management. For more information on Alzheimers, try visiting - a website that specializes in providing Alzheimers related tips, advice and re. Riley Hendersen's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Garland Choate has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cooking Tips, Pets and tax. Garland Choate (GR) is a retired Airline Captain who now publishes articles from the USVI. Find many great articles on Alzheimers at