| Submitted by Julie Beckner
The Calhoun-Gilmer Chronic Disease Treatment and Prevention Coalition hosted an Alzheimer's Awareness Event Luncheon and Balloon Launch in Glenville on Sunday, November 1st.
Over twenty community members interested in learning about the disease attended the event. Alzheimer's is a disease that can affect not only the patient, but the entire family and especially takes a toll on the primary caregiver.
Featured speaker, Amy Ernst, of the Alzheimer's Association presented information about Alzheimer's Disease, how the disease progresses, prevention and detection, caring for the patient and caregiver and what happens inside of the brain as the disease continues through the years. Ms. Ernst discussed the importance of "exercising from the neck up." This means reading, working puzzles, cross word puzzles or any other type of "thinking games."
Amy Ernst of the Alzheimer's Association answers
questions about the progression of Alzheimer's
It is important to make your brain work. Don't do the same things each day. Take different routes to work, if you walk for exercise, take a different path other than your norm. Make your brain think about new things or think about your usual tasks in a new way. If you suspect you may be beginning with signs of Alzheimer's Disease, start keeping a journal of incidents that have alerted you (for example: not recognizing people/places, unable to remember basic information, trouble completing familiar tasks, trouble recalling words or calculating numbers, etc.) and most importantly, talk to your doctor.
The information shared by Ms. Ernst was extremely valuable to those in attendance. Many questions were asked to help the attendees understand the disease. Ms. Ernst also discussed the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia. Alzheimer's Disease is a valid concern for our aging community, especially as the baby boomers enter into the age range where the beginning stages of Alzheimer's begin to surface.
Ms. Ernst stressed the fact that Alzheimer's Disease can only be diagnosed properly with an autopsy, but over the years, as more has become discovered about the disease, doctors can diagnose what they suspect as Alzheimer's disease with up to a 99% accuracy rate based on how the patient is progressing.
Following the presentation, the community members in attendance each launched a balloon in hope for a cure someday for Alzheimer's disease and to honor/memorialize those that suffer from the disease.
For information regarding Alzheimer's Disease, contact the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-491-2717, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Special thanks to the Gilmer County Red Hat Society and the Glenville Woman's Club for providing desserts for the event. Door prizes were donated by Hospice Care Corporation. Members present from the Chronic Disease Treatment and Prevention Coalition were: Jean Simers and Carol Sloan of the Calhoun County FRN, Jenny Shirey of the Gilmer County Extension Services and Julie Beckner of Hospice Care Corporation. To join the Calhoun-Gilmer Chronic Disease Treatment and Prevention Coalition, please contact Julie Beckner at 304-517-8868 or Barb McKown at 304-354-9244.
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