ALZHEIMER’S News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Families facing Alzheimer’s disease will have access to a free educational event in White Rock offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter.
“The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease” is 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11. The event will be hosted at The White Rock Senior Center, 137 Longview Dr. in White Rock. The class is free and open to all citizens of White Rock and surrounding communities.
“The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease” is designed primarily as an introduction for new, non-professional or family caregivers who are seeking a basic knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and an overview of support resources that are available in their area; so that they might better understand how to care for their loved-one or care-recipient. It provides valuable information on the disease process and different stages of Alzheimer’s.
It helps caregivers and family members differentiate dementia from normal age-related memory changes by introducing the warning signs and known risk factors. It will give the caregiver information about the core programs provided by the New Mexico chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, descriptions of the other educational classes that it provides statewide, all free of charge.
For more information or to register, call David Davis at 505.473.1297 or at dldavis@alz.org. Class size is limited and they do fill up quickly. Call now to register.
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast. Today, 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.
Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2050, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s dementia every 33 seconds. By that same year, as many as 16 million will have the disease.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $259 billion in 2017, increasing to $1.1 trillion by mid-century.
Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. In our own state, 38,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families.
If you need help, call us: The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers many free services and resources to caregivers and families facing the disease: support groups, care consultations, respite, educational presentations, safety programs, information and referral and more.
Contact any of our 5 branch offices in the state: Albuquerque (Main Office) (505).266.4473, Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico) (505).473.1297, Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico) (505).326.3670, Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) (575).624.1552 and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico) (575).647.3868.
You can also call our 24/7 Helpline anytime, day or night for support or for more information: 1.800.272.3900.
*Source for all statistics: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report at www.alz.org/facts.