1.
Memory changes that disrupt daily life.
2.
Challenges in planning or solving problems.
3.
Diff culty completing familiar tasks.
4.
Confusion with time or place.
5.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial
relationships.
6.
New problems with words in speaking or writing.
7.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
8.
Decreased or poor judgement.
9.
Withdrawal from work or social activities.
10.
Changes in mood and personality.
KNOW THE SIGNS
The 10 main signs of Alzheimer’s Disease,
according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The association also is looking for people to
volunteer for clinical trials for research pur-
poses. Part of the trial would determine if the
person is a candidate for the disease. “Some
just don’t want to find that out. But we need the
volunteers so we can improve the chances of
finding a cure or at least a way to prevent it,”
Vulgaris-Rodriguez said.
There remains a stigma to having Alzheimer’s
disease and 25 percent of those who have been
diagnosed with it still live alone. But with edu-
cation that stigma is dissolving as people realize
Alzheimer’s can affect anyone, no matter their
race, income or education level. Women are at
higher risk.
“
It is the only disease in the top 10 causes
of death in world that cannot be prevented or
slowed. Every 68 seconds somebody develops
the disease and that time goes down every year.
Last year, it was every 70 seconds,” Vulgaris-
Rodriguez said.
“
It is a wicked, wicked disease.”
The Alzheimer’s Association offers patients, their families and care-
givers a 24-hour helpline where they can get conf dential answers to
their questions about the disease. That number is (800) 272-3900.
For more information about The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, including
forming a team, visits
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