Alzheimer's In Baby Boomer Generation:

Right now more than five million people have Alzheimer's. Researchers estimate that between eight to ten million baby boomers will probably develop Alzheimer's. Some estimates say that by 2050 it will be as high as sixteen million. Wow, that's some staggering numbers. A woman's chance of developing Alzheimer's by age fifty-five is two to one, to that of a man. Alzheimer's has been known to strike people as young as thirty years of age and as old as eighty five. Every 71 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

What is Alzheimer's?
It is a form of dementia. Which is a loss of memory and other functions that help us to deal with our daily lives. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells that cause memory loss, loss of our daily function to work and socialize. Eventually we don't recognize our loved ones. Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death.

What are the signs of Alzheimer's?
Memory loss; everyone forgets things occasionally so don't panic yet. People with Alzheimer's forget very recent information and can't recall it at all; this happens quite often.
Difficulty completing routine tasks ; once in a while you may forget what you went to do (that's normal and okay). People with Alzheimer's will forget how to prepare a meal or play a card game (things they've usually done all their life before).
Forget words/phrases/names; once in a while all of us forget a name (you haven't seen the person in ten years or so) or can't find the right word we want to use. People with Alzheimer's forget simple words or use a substitute word (that doesn't make sense) or describe it like "that place you mail things" for post office.
Disorientation; we all forget the time/day of the week (because we get so busy it seems to fly by) or where we were going (because we were distracted by someone/something else). People with Alzheimer's get lost very easily, even in their own block/neighborhood and can't find their way back home.
Poor Judgement; well who hasn't once in a while--right. People with Alzheimer's have decreased/poor judgment to the effect that they may dress inappropriately by overdressing for hot summer days or under dressing for cold wintry days. They may also just give away things like antiques or even large sums of money to strangers.
Performing Mental Tasks; we all have problems once in a while balancing our checkbooks. People with Alzheimer's may not remember what numbers are for or how to use them.
Misplacing things; who hasn't done this once in a while. People with Alzheimer's may place things in unusual places such as car keys in the freezer or mail in the dryer.
Changes in mood/behavior; all of us have times/day that we are moody once in a while. People with Alzheimer's may have multiple mood swings from anger to fear or tears to happiness in just a few minutes, for no apparent reason.
Personality changes; it's normal for people's personalities to change some as they age. People with Alzheimer's personalities change drastically to where they can become totally dependant on one person primarily. They are very confused, suspicious and fearful.
Loss of Initiative/Socialization ; it's normal for us to get tired at times and want to just kick back, be alone and do nothing. People with Alzheimer's sleep more than usual, don't want to do any activities/socialize and become very passive.

People more at risk of developing Alzheimer's are those with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol. Therefore, you need to be more watchful of your health. It has been discovered that Omega-3, from fish, is one way to slow the possible progression of Alzheimer's. Therefore, reinforcing the fact that staying heart healthy is one way to ensure that you may not get Alzheimer's. Other evidence suggests that by staying healthy overall decreases your chances of developing Alzheimer's. This is done by exercising your mind along with your body, avoiding tobacco, watching your weight (consult your BMI tables for your frame size), avoid drinking alcohol in excessiveness, avoid non-prescription drugs, see your doctor regularly (at least once per yr for your annual check up provided you have no medical conditions warranting more visits). If a health problem arises see your doctor and do as instructed.

The actual cause of Alzheimer's is not totally known, some of what we know about the cause is linked to mercury. However too many efforts and research dollars have already been spent to find the origin/cause. Instead what we need to do is put aside that notion and pool all the monies towards finding ways to cure/treat Alzheimer's. However, it is too early to tell. One thing is for sure, research money is best spent on creating drugs/pharmaceuticals that will benefit Alzheimer's patient.

Caregivers at some point will be necessary to those that are inflicted. Thus, putting a strain on our family and loved ones. The alternative nursing home will add to the rising costs in order to free those of us unable to care for our loved ones. Thus bringing up the costs of healthcare/Medicare even higher. The cost of Alzheimer's is approximately $148 per year for Medicare right now. It is projected that Medicare's costs will be about doubled around 2015. It seems the Baby Boomer generation will need to become more prepared for this disease. Since Medicare will not be able to support such alarming numbers. If we begin now to better take care of ourselves it can possibly delay or maybe decrease the numbers of baby boomers that develop Alzheimer's. Who knows possibly in the near future maybe one of the drugs that are "currently in trial" could be the one to either "cure" or significantly "delay progression" of Alzheimer's.


Alzheimer's Facts
www.msnbc
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