Last September 21, organizations, groups, families, and individuals observed World Alzheimer’s Day. As the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease affects the people on a devastating scale. While planning for long term care helps immensely, individuals and families still have much to go through with this ordeal.
Understandably, many individuals and their families still struggle coming to terms with this progressive cognitive disease. Coping with this type of life-altering news is not an easy task, after all. This is why, for this roundup, we have gathered the different methods, activities, and perspectives that can lead individuals down the road of acceptance.
A New Perspective on Alzheimer’s and Dementia: An Interview with Megan Carnarius
Often, when the disease strikes, people focus on the negative aspects and occurrences it brings. Megan Carnarius, RN, NHA, LMT, through A Place for Mom, encourages individuals and their families to focus on the positive possibilities it may bring. While it might seem far-fetched to some, Carnarius shares a story of how an abusive father earned the forgiveness of his son after the disease drastically changed the former’s personality.
World Alzheimer’s Day — finding answers on advocacy and awareness
Alzheimer’s has no known cure, and currently, five million Americans and their families are facing this disease. Arthur W. Toga, through The Hill, encourages people to take part in pushing for more funding for the search for the cure this dreaded disease.
Things to do: Mizner Park’s ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s’ this weekend
Solidarity is important for something as widespread as this disease. Participating in the fight to end Alzheimer’s does not just help those with the disease, it can also help you come to terms with it. PalmBeachPost.com invites individuals to join the 2-mile walk to help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research.
Health Hackers: Alzheimer’s Patients Help Themselves
The APoE4 gene increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. For some, this becomes a constant source of anxiety, but for this group of individuals, it became the push that they needed to change their lifestyle. Learning English shares the story of a group of individuals who took their health care into their own hands. This group of people have banded together and decided to hack their own health.
“B*LLSH*T” Said the Caregiver
ChicagoNow’s Cathy Braxton writes an honest and raw account of the experiences of what caregivers go through as they care for their loved ones. In the article, she shares the story of Jane and her outburst at the grocery store regarding her husband’s Alzheimer’s disease.