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Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life and activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among people over the age of 65, but it is NOT a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s starts in a region of the brain that affects recent memory before gradually spreading to other parts of the brain. Treatment can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and help some people manage their symptoms, but there is currently no cure for this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. i. Note: We cannot claim it is the only in the top 10 without treatment or cure on account of cancer being listed as second in that list.

Alzheimer’s disease may start with slight memory loss and confusion, but it eventually leads to irreversible mental impairment that destroys a person’s ability to remember, reason, learn, and imagine. Research indicates that African American family members recognize the value of having a diagnosis. Long delays often occur between family members’ initial recognition of symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other dementias and the scheduling of a medical evaluation. The same is true for people in other racial and ethnic minority groups. Memory loss and confusion are Some key behaviors to note that may indicate the onset of Alzheimer’s or another dementia include Memory loss Problems with abstract thinking Difficulty finding the right word Disorientation Loss of judgment Difficulty performing familiar tasks Personality changes Withdrawal from work or social activities

5 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death among all adults. It’s the 4th leading cause of death for older African Americans. 16 Million are expected to have Alzheimer’s by 2050 In 2014, 15.5 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $220B Here you can view Clinical Research / Trials http://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/AANAA-Clinical-Trials/about The Brain Registry http://www.alzresearch.org/trials.cfmhttp://www.alzresearch.org/research.cfmhttp://ncatad.com/about-the-study/

Change Your Lifestyle Changes that can reduce incidences of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Making small lifestyle changes can delay onset of Alzheimer’s disease, by reducing the risk of other conditions that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Recommendations include: Don’t smoke. If you’re already smoking, stop Engage in mind-challenging activities such as arithmetic and cross-word puzzles Avoid a high-fat diet Eat fish Avoid head injuries – often happened in falls Limit salt intake Exercise regularly Eat food high in anti-oxidants: fresh fruits and vegetables

Become or remain physically active Monitor blood pressure numbers Manage cholesterol Prevent or control diabetes Strive for overall wellness

REFERRAL CENTERS Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Knowledgeable staff that provide information and links to community resources, health care professionals, social services and other support are available through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org. PUBLICATIONS ADvantage® Consumer publications designed specifically for caregivers of individuals with dementia are available through care ADvantage®, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. http://www.afacareadvantage.org CLINICAL TRIALS The National Institute on Aging, in concert with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), tracks private and government-sponsored clinical trials. Contact the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center or 800-438-4380) for more information. For a list of clinical trials from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, click here. LINKS Alzheimer’s Association NetWellness Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) African American and Alzheimer’s Disease: the silent epidemic Alzheimer’s Foundation of America *CAN Dream Foundation is providing these links for your reference. CAN Dream Foundation does not endorse any government or non-government websites, companies, or applications and cannot attest to the accuracy of the information provided by third-party sites or any other linked site.