Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. The disease robs people of their memories and leads to progressive physical and mental impairments. This eventual fatal disease represents a serious and growing threat to our older population, impacting hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and their families.

During National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we recommit to improving its detection and treatment, finding a cure, and supporting those whose lives are affected by this disease.

Early detection is key to delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s. The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation lists the top ten signs and symptoms of the disease:

• Memory loss: forgetting recently learned information (forgetting names or appointments occasionally is normal).
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks: individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal or making a phone call.
• Problems with language: forgetting simple words or substituting unusual words.
• Disorientation to time and place: getting lost in one’s own neighborhood, forgetting where one is/ how one arrived there, not knowing how to get home.
• Poor or decreased judgment: dressing inappropriately, like wearing little to nothing in the winter, or showing poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money.
• Problems with abstract thinking: having difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are.
• Misplacing things: putting things in unusual places, like an iron in the freezer.
• Change in mood or behavior: rapid mood swings.
• Changes in personality: becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.
• Loss of initiative: becoming very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual.

In 2010, there were 320,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in New York State, 300,000 of those over the age of 75. While there is no cure for the disease, treatments for symptoms are available. Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop it from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease. Research continues worldwide to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset and prevent it from developing in the first place.

Furthermore, there are several ways to reduce your risk for developing Alzheimer’s, including increasing physical activity and mental stimulation, controlling blood pressure and diabetes and managing obesity and depression.

In recognition of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, events are going on all over the state to raise awareness about this terrible disease. Here in the 122nd Assembly District, there will be a memory screening event in Watertown at the Kmart Pharmacy, 21082 Pioneer Plaza Rd (off Arsenal St.) from 9 am to 1 pm.

The human cost of Alzheimer’s disease is astounding. Until we find more effective treatments and a cure, we must continue to support both Alzheimer’s disease research and the caregivers and victims of this devastating disease.

As always, if you have a state issue or concern you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact me at my district office, 315-493-3909, email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us, or stop by my office, 15 Bridge St., Carthage.