JOAN’S BLOG – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 – IT’S WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY – RAISE AWARENESS; RAISE FUNDS; BE AN ADVOCATE; TELL A FRIEND; WEAR PURPLE

Today, September 21, 2009, is WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY. This is the day that Alzheimer’s Associations around the world unite to raise awareness of the disease. Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog previewing this day. In it, I discussed this year’s theme - “Diagnosing Dementia: See it Sooner”. The focus of this theme will be “on the importance of getting a diagnosis and encouraging medical professionals to recognize the signs of the disease in order for people to receive the treatment they need.” ( from “World Alzheimer’s Day”.)

On this day, I am going to give you a series of links to articles and news releases, so you can see for yourself what is being done around the world to help eradicate this horrific disease.

But first, I want to tell you a little personal story about how I inadvertently, maybe, hopefully, helped raise a little awareness. I have mentioned to you that Sid is declining lately. His movements, mental acuity, language processing, and comprehension of language have taken a hit, enough so that even he is noticing. If I ask him a question, by the time he answers it, I’VE forgotten what I asked.

We were visiting this weekend with dear friends who know and understand the situation, to the best of anyone’s ability to understand when you are not living with it. Sid was his usual self, not participating much in the conversations. His explanation for that is quite astute. It takes him so long to process the information, that he forgets all but the last part of what he heard.

Later on, my friend, with honest and true concern, told me later that she and her husband felt that Sid was too “drugged”, and I should not keep him “drugged”, especially when visiting with them, because they keep things low key for him, and they are understanding. “Surprise”, I said. “I did not give him the Risperdal that afternoon.” My exact words were “What you saw is the way he is. He is declining more quickly now - his processing, memory, and comprehension are very slow, so that's why he looks drugged. Sorry, it's not drugs; it's Alzheimer's Disease. What you see now is the best it's going to be. It's only going to get worse. I'm thankful that he still knows everyone, can dress, bathe, and shave himself, and can enjoy the activities here (where we live)" I THINK, I HOPE, that little incident went a bit of the way in raising awareness of what this disease is.

I urge everyone to do ONE thing today to help raise awareness of this disease:

Tell a friend
Wear Purple
Send an e-mail
Send an article via e-mail
Write your congressman/woman
Give this website address to a spouse in need

Check out the Alzheimer Products on my Zazzle page- A simple key chain that is displayed every time you take out your keys is an excellent way to raise awareness.

Please click on these links for much more on World Alzheimer’s Day:

Tune in tonight at 8 PM on Retirement Living TV for “Not Fade Away”, a documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease. Click Here for a preview.

Other Links:

World Alzheimer’s Day

Planned Events Around the World

35 Million People Worldwide Living with Dementia – From Alzheimer’s Association website

Alzheimer’s Association Press Release

The Man I Knew

MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC: WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY

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©Copyright 2009 Joan Gershman 
The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2009 All Rights Reserved

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