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Whenever she looks at her father, DeAnn Stokes always sees her hero.
Stokes is a resident of Fort Smith who still loves and respects her 85-year-old father, Olan Burns, and she continues to have a positive attitude when she discusses the fact that her father lives with the disease. # 39; Alzheimer's. Stokes admitted to relying heavily on prayer and on the habit of seeing the brighter side of life when dealing with his father.
"I like to say that God and humor help us get through," Stokes said. "Alzheimer's is not funny, of course, but you try to laugh and you share the good between you.
"If your loved one remembers differently from a story or thinks that the directions to go to a store are another way, you accept it," she added. "You are here for them."
For Stokes, recognition and treatment of early signs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are essential for all families. She is helping this month to promote Brain Awareness Month and Alzheimer's Disease. She was chosen to co-chair the organization of the March to End Alzheimer's Disease, organized by the Alzheimer's Association. The march will be held on September 21 at the Arkansas University campus in Fort Smith.
"With my family, we had the good fortune and the misfortune of having a plan in place for him," said Stokes, of Burns, who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team in the years. 1950. "Dad was one of nine siblings, and four of them had Alzheimer's disease.We were kind of ready to have a plan in place."
Signs of her father's health became apparent during a family vacation in Florida about 10 years ago, Stokes said. Burns, who was previously independent, refused to leave the side of his wife, Carole, for the duration of the holidays.
"Dad would not even let Mom sit alone on the beach," Stokes said. "It was not normal for him – it was very, very speaking.
"And it was not so much that it was really difficult for everyone, because it was the hardest for my mother," she added. "It was a discussion of what mom will do and the fact that she has to live with that the rest of her life." Mom helps, and we help everyone.
Kristen Dickins, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association, Arkansas Chapter, agreed that early detection, discussions and planning must be a priority for all. She and others promote the badociation's "Time to Talk" campaign, which encourages individuals and families to discuss their concerns and observations with the person they believe is important. shows signs of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
"There are 60,000 Arkans living with Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the country.Unfortunately, there is no cure." Dickins said. "There are ways to detect the warning signs, which may include the person who is starting to retire from life – our website, Alz.org, contains a detailed section that discusses these warning signs.
"And we want people to know that engaging in conversation earlier can help early diagnosis," she added. "This may leave more time for critical planning, so it is important that people recognize the alarm signals and have this conversation."
According to a survey conducted in 2018 by the Alzheimer's Association, three out of four people admitted that it would be "difficult" to treat problems related to Alzheimer's disease to a loved one. Of those surveyed, 76% said they feared offending a family member by talking about the subject and 69% feared to "ruin" their relationship with the individual that they believe are showing signs of dementia.
The survey also indicates that 38% of people would wait for the symptoms of a family member to worsen before sharing their concerns.
"It is interesting to note that nine in ten respondents said they would like to ask someone to tell them that they had signs of Alzheimer's disease or some other form of Alzheimer's disease. of dementia, "said Dickins. "They want to be told themselves, but they are less likely to talk about it for others."
Both Dickins and Stokes stated that they encouraged anyone with concerns or questions about free programs from the Alzheimer's Association to call the 24-hour helpline at (800) ) 272-3900.
"There are meetings – my mom used this for meetings and programs – where people can just sit down and talk with other people who are living what you're going through," Stokes said. "It has been so helpful, I know it can help other people."
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