The Good Life – September-October 2020

Alzheimer’s Awareness
What That Means to Me
WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS
If you are like me you had never heard
much about Alzheimer's disease until
it directly impacted your everyday
life.
At first, I was shocked at how little I
had heard of it because of just how
devastating the disease is, but as it
began to rear its ugly head into my
life I understood a little more why I
hadn't heard first hand what it is all
about.
"Alzheimer's disease is a
degenerative brain disease and is the
most common form of dementia. It
is important to note that dementia
is not a specific disease; it is an
overall term that describes a group
of symptoms," according to the
Alzheimer's Association's website.
There is no particular reason
someone develops Alzheimer's
disease. It can be a multitude of things
Alzheimer's disease
is a degenerative
brain disease and is
the most common
form of dementia.
It is important to
note that dementia
is not a specific
disease; it is an
overall term that
describes a group
of symptoms.
including age, genetics, environment,
lifestyle, and/or coexisting medical
conditions.
This disease intruded into my life so
rapidly and yet it is slowly taking away
one of the most important people in
my life. One thing I didn't understand
until enough time had passed is that
you don't see it coming. Silly mistakes
and forgetfulness seemed slightly out
of place but weren't causing major
issues in day-to-day activities. It isn't
until you have seen the progression
do you start to realize something isn't
quite right.
According to the Mayo Clinic's
website, "Alzheimer's disease begins
long before any symptoms become
apparent." As of today, there is no
test you can take to tell you if you will
be affected and there is no cure if you
develop it, although trials and studies
are working towards both.
6 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com