Know the 10 Signs: Early Alzheimer’s Detection Matters Free Seminar in Larchmont

Virtually everyone either has a family member or knows someone who has Alzheimer’s and knows the devastation that it can bring. Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or another dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms and since every individual may experience one or more of these signs to a different degree, it is essential that you learn what these 10 warning signs are.

On Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00am, representatives from The Alzheimer’s Association, will present a free, informative seminar on the 10 warning signs at the Larchmont Public Library.

The facts, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, are staggering. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – fast. An estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages are living with the disease in 2016. Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

• Of the 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an estimated 5.2 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer's).

• One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's disease.

• By mid-century, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

These numbers will escalate rapidly in coming years, as the baby boom generation has begun to reach age 65 and beyond, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer's. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease. Previous estimates based on high range projections of population growth provided by the U.S. Census suggest that this number may be as high as 16 million.

On average, the cost to family caregivers exceeds $5,000 per year caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. For some families this means they may miss out on taking a vacation. For others, it may mean going hungry. Because Alzheimer’s can strike anyone, regardless of age, race, sex or economic station, it becomes essential that everyone be well acquainted with the 10 warning signs. While no cure exists currently, early detection does help and gives the person affected the opportunity to be part of important medical study groups and to try medications that could potentially have an impact if started soon enough.