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KUSA-9NEWS puts Alzheimer's disease in the limelight for the week of September 10-15.
We share stories of people with the disease, caregivers, research and resources.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease where dementia symptoms worsen over time. Every day can bring its own challenges.
According to the Alzheimer Association, 5.7 million people are living with the disease and by 2050 this number is expected to reach nearly 14 million.
STORY | Changing the story about aging
In our state, 71,000 Coloradans live with Alzheimer's disease, and this number does not even include people suffering from other diseases accompanied by similar symptoms of memory loss and personality changes.
GET HELP
For families struggling with the devastating diagnosis, sometimes the hardest thing is to pick up the phone and ask for help.
Cara Oberheide of the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado sometimes said it was guilt.
"You have these barriers based on someone's long-term love and marriage, and they do not want to give up, so to speak," Oberheide said.
It is difficult for some people to admit that they need help, but it is important that caregivers take care of them too.
The Alzheimer's Association has a helpline for caregivers, families and people with the disease. He can be reached for free, 24/7, at 1-800-272-3900.
The help desk can help with the following:
- Help people understand that dementia is an illness and that memory loss that disrupts daily life is not part of normal aging
- Help families cope more effectively with the behavior and personality changes that they will see in their loved ones (that they might otherwise attribute to the person who is uncomfortable, suffering from depression or another disease)
- The benefit to the person of being able to take advantage of the available drugs that have proved most effective in the early stages of the disease
- Ensure that the safety of the person with the disease
- Anticipate the adjustments that will be necessary, both in terms of physical care and legal and financial planning
- And help caregivers understand the challenges they will face and the resources available to help them (including classes, support groups, 24/7 help line)
RURAL COMMUNITIES
Alzheimer's disease can already feel insulating for those who suffer from it; add in a rural setting, and it can be even harder to find information or care.
Salud Family Health Centers are based in Colorado communities. They help patients from all walks of life, even if they do not have insurance.
Dr. Tillman Farley, medical director of Salud Family Health, said that it is the family that generally recognizes the changes in their loved ones.
"There are things you can do to help fight Alzheimer's disease and, more importantly, there are other causes of dementia that we can really act on, and then there are services we can offer to the family to help them. to cope better. their family who has this problem, "said Farley.
It is difficult to change the course of Alzheimer's disease. Health care providers say it can be frustrating to have an illness that you can not eliminate or repair entirely, but there are still ways to help people.
"When there is something you can offer to help the family, it makes you feel good because there is something we can do now, at least in a way," said Farley.
Salud works closely with the Alzheimer's Association to help people find the resources they need to cope with the disease.
MINORITY GROUPS
According to the Alzheimer's Association, 47 million people around the world are facing the disease. This means that someone new develops dementia every 3 seconds.
Alzheimer's disease disproportionately affects minority communities.
According to the Alzheimer Prevention Initiative, African Americans are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than white Americans.
Facts About Alzheimer's Disease
RESEARCH
Despite the fact that research on Alzheimer's disease continues to be a graveyard for a large number of drugs formulated to cure it, researchers generally agree that they are getting closer finally a solution.
There are currently three drugs in trials that are very promising.
9NEWS did a lot of reporting on two of these drugs, Adacanumab and Leukine, both at different stages of research at CU Anschutz Medical Center. Both up to now show generally positive results.
STORY | CU Anschutz researchers are working on a promising drug in the race for Alzheimer's disease
The third and last drug still has no name, it has a designation.
"BAN2401" comes from the Japanese partner of drug manufacturer Biogen, Eisai.
STORY | The "Three Horsemen" who could help cure Alzheimer's disease
RESOURCES
The Alzheimer's Helpline Association of Colorado 24/7 is 1-800-272-3900
Frequently Asked Questions and Myths About Alzheimer's Disease
A gambling booklet on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by Beth Bowlen and Mark Koebrich
Alzheimer: 9NEWS coverage in one place | Collection of stories from June 2018
© 2018 KUSA-TV
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