Senior Notes by Cora Flood

This is the first in a series of articles on the very serious and debilitating disease of Alzheimer’s. When speaking about it one often hears people mention dementia, Alzheimers and memory loss all in the one breath. Just to clarify for my own edification I went to the Alzheimers Association website to learn more. I can highly recommend the www.alz.org.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5 million Americans are living with the disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal. Today it is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

Is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Vascular dementia, another common type of dementia, is caused by reduced blood flow to parts of the brain. In mixed dementia, Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia occur together.

Alzheimer’s has no current cure. But treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s.

Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. They may be a sign that brain cells are failing.

Some of the myths often associated with Alzheimers are addressed below:

Myth 1: Memory loss is a natural part of aging.

Reality: In the past people believed memory loss was a normal part of aging, often regarding even Alzheimer’s as natural age-related decline. Experts now recognize severe memory loss as a symptom of serious illness.

Whether memory naturally declines to some extent remains an open question. Many people feel that their memory becomes less sharp as they grow older, but determining whether there is any scientific basis for this belief is a research challenge still being addressed.

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.

Reality: Alzheimer's disease will kill you. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away your identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk and find your way home.

Myth 3: Only older people can get Alzheimer's

Reality: Alzheimer's can strike people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Of the estimated 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, some 500,000 people under age 65 have Alzheimer's or a related dementia.

Next week: myths continued, warning signs, risk factors and treatment options.

Should you like to learn more in the mean time please call the Massachusetts Chapter

Senior outing, monthly Mass and luncheon to the Irish Cultural Centre, Canton

Thursday Sept. 18^th from 12noon to 3pm.

Fr. John will celebrate Mass and offer a blessing for the sick in our community.

Bus will leave Brighton Center at 11am and bus no. 2 will leave Quincy at 11am for those who need a lift, call 617 479 7404 x 13 to book your seat.

In Memoriam:
Kathleen Gorham of Dorchester and South Boston, originally from Co. Galway, a regular for a long time at our Quincy coffee mornings, sadly passed away last week after a short illness. May she rest in peace.