Life Care continues the fight against Alzheimer’s disease

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and Life Care Centers of America is proud to be a National Team with the Alzheimer’s Association for the sixth straight year.

Though we are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we don’t want to forget about the special residents in our buildings (and their families) for whom Alzheimer’s disease is a daily struggle.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older and accounting for 60-80 percent of dementia cases. Memory loss is the trademark sign of the disease, although AD also affects other areas, from vision and speech to balance. 

The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 signs of the disease:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or activities
• Changes in mood or personality

Recognizing these signs can help lead to early detection and diagnosis and a better quality of life for the person involved. Of course, only a physician can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, but if you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, a trip to the doctor may be a good idea.

Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Alzheimer’s, which is a progressive disease. It is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause for adults over age 65.

While the risk of developing Alzheimer’s goes up with age, even some individuals in their 30s, 40s and 50s find themselves unexpectedly dealing with the disease.

What can we do?

Researchers are continuing to study the disease and work on finding a way to slow the disease or cure it. 

In 2019, Life Care’s facilities and corporate office raised $147,064 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, and Life Care remains committed to fundraising and supporting the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Our associates, many of whom work with patients with Alzheimer’s every day, are passionate about ending this disease and creating better quality of life for their residents.

“Since 2014, Life Care Centers of America has been a proud National Team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Melissa LaBonge, associate director for constituent events and partnerships at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Together we have raised over $808,000. Working alongside Life Care Centers of America staff, residents and the local community, the Alzheimer’s Association is able to continue its efforts to dramatically increase access to Alzheimer’s care and support for those who need it today and to accelerate research toward treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for this devastating and deadly disease.”

To join with Life Care in the fight against Alzheimer’s, you can donate to the Alzheimer’s Association through our National Team here.