Walking for Alzheimer’s

If you have ever known a person stricken by Alzheimer’s disease, you know how disabling it is to the victim, and how troubling it is for their family and friends. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that normally strikes victims over 65 years of age. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and its effects include memory loss, change in behavior, and the inability to maintain everyday care of oneself.

I had a great aunt who had Alzheimer’s when I was very young. I remember not understanding what was going on with her despite my parent’s better efforts to explain it to me. The thing that I remember the most is how quickly her condition worsened. I normally only saw her on Christmas Eve, and I remember her being fairly normal one year, and the very next she had no idea who I was. Compared to the symptoms that she could have experienced, memory loss was certainly not the worst.

I do remember how heartbreaking it was for my family to have a beloved aunt still alive who was just not herself. I didn’t understand at the time, but now that I’m older I definitely get it.

Unfortunately, very little is known about Alzheimer’s. Its ultimate cause is still unknown, which makes it very difficult to predict, let alone avoid. Genetics are suspected to be a part of the cause of the disease, as are exposure to aluminum, smoking, a lack of consistent brain activity later in life, and poor cardiovascular health.

Fortunately, someone is doing something about it. The Alzheimer’s Association has created the Memory Walk to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research and prevention, and they need YOU to be a team captain.

If you have known anyone stricked with Alzheimer’s, you know how important this is. Sign up today, and do your part to help make this awful disease only a memory.