Like most people, you probably know someone who has been diagnosed with, is suffering from or has died with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s, a cure has yet to be found. There is something you can do to help though! The Grand Forks elder law attorneys at German Law encourage you to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, deterioration of thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. These neurons, which produce the brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, break connections with other nerve cells and ultimately die. For example, short-term memory fails when Alzheimer’s disease first destroys nerve cells in the hippocampus, and language skills and judgment decline when neurons die in the cerebral cortex. Unlike many other diseases, such as AIDS, experts do not believe Alzheimer’s has a single cause. Instead, they believe the disease is multi-faceted with several factors influencing the development of the disease. The complexity of the disease makes finding a cure, and even effective treatment for those suffering from the disease, more difficult. While there are some medications on the market now that help slow the cognitive decline that is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s for some people, we are not yet close to finding a truly effective treatment regime, much less a cure.
Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures
To better understand why you should participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, consider the following facts and figures about the disease published by the Alzheimer’s Association:
- More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease
- Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from Alzheimer’s have more than doubled.
- One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
- More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
- In 2022, Alzheimer’s disease will cost the United States $321 billion.
- By 2050, Alzheimer’s disease is projected to cost the U.S. nearly $1 trillion.
What Is the Walk to End Alzheimer’s®?
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is full of flowers, each carried by someone committed to ending the disease. The flowers symbolize the determination to keep going and not allow obstacles to stop the search for a cure. Participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s raise funds and awareness for a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
How Can I Participate in The Walk to End Alzheimer’s®?
There are several ways you can get involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. If you live in the Grand Forks area, you can join the team at German Law and participate in the walk held on September 17, 2022 starting at 9:00 at Sertoma Park located at 3300 11th Ave S. If you cannot participate in the walk itself you can still support the team by navigating to our team’s page and make a donation. You can even start your own friends and family team and actively fundraise to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s. In whatever manner you choose to participate, we appreciate your support!
Contact Grand Forks Elder Law Attorneys
Please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns about Alzheimer’s or elder law issues, contact the Grand Forks elder law attorneys at German Law by calling 701-738-0060 to schedule an appointment.
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