Many boomrs not ready for Alzheimers

News Release
Kenora-RR Alz. Society

An online survey of baby boomers across Canada conducted by the Alzheimer Society reveals a worrying lack of awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
Survey results show that an astonishing 23 per cent of boomers can’t name any of the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, even though their risk doubles every five years after age 65.
Of those surveyed, 50 per cent identified memory loss as a key symptom, but failed to mention other critical signs.
“Boomers can take steps to protect themselves from Alzheimer’s disease,” says Lynn Moffatt, Executive Director.
Most boomers are familiar with the common hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease of not recognizing familiar faces and objects. But less than half know about life-altering changes, such as hallucinations or total dependency on others for basic care, that occur in the disease’s later stages. More troubling, respondents are unaware that diabetes, obesity, heart disease and chronic depression significantly increase their odds for developing the disease.
Today’s findings confirm a disturbing lack of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease among boomers, the country’s largest demographic group, who will become increasingly at risk as they age. But the reasons for self-awareness and prevention have never been more compelling. Without a cure or drugs to stop the disease, Alzheimer’s is destined to be the most pressing and costly health issue boomers will face in their lifetime: either they will get the disease themselves or be faced with caring for someone with the disease.
The Society also urges Canadians, especially those 40 and older, to practise prevention by learning the risks and making simple lifestyle changes: eat a heart-healthy diet, stay active, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and monitor their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts is increasing education, support and services to support this growing number of people affected with Alzheimer. “We have implemented a First Link program, which is a partnership with health organizations to refer individuals as soon as they are diagnosed with Alzheimer to our Society. We will provide education, support and link them to a number of community supports early on in their Alzheimer journey. This was a piece that was missing from the puzzle in the pasted. The First Link program is funding under the Aging at Home Strategy.”, says Lynn Moffatt, Executive Director.
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of dementia. It is a fatal progressive disease of the brain that robs memory and steals the ability to reason, communicate and perform daily tasks. Changes in the brain can begin to appear decades before diagnosis and progression can last between seven and 10 years. Eventually, the person affected will require 24-hour care and supervision. Age is the single biggest risk factor but the disease can also strike as early as 40.