Alzheimers Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. About us.

Glen Campbell Sings to Congress, Keeps Alzheimer’s in the Public Eye

Advocacy, Featured Posts 51 Responses »

May 232012

Glen Campbell Sings to Congress, Keeps Alzheimer’s in the Public Eye

On Wednesday, May 16, the Alzheimer’s Association hosted “An Evening with Glen Campbell,” an event to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among members of Congress. Held at the Library of Congress, the evening honored country music legend Campbell, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, and his family. Actress and philanthropist Jane Seymour welcomed a crowd including members of Congress, staff and their families. Seymour’s husband, James Keach, and his filmmaking partner, Trevor Albert, are making [...]

Can Coconut Oil Treat Alzheimer’s?

Current Studies, Featured Posts 50 Responses »

May 102012

We’ve received quite a few questions recently about whether or not coconut oil can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This is a topic that comes up often, so I thought it would be helpful to provide some background: The claim This theory has to do with substances called ketones. The damage caused by Alzheimer’s disrupts the brain’s ability to use its primary energy source, known as glucose. The brain naturally gets a portion of its [...]

Why I Signed the Petition for a Strong National Alzheimer’s Plan

Advocacy, Voices of Alzheimer's 9 Responses »

Apr 232012

Why I Signed the Petition for a Strong National Alzheimer's Plan

My mother had Alzheimer’s disease, and what it did to her was just terrible. Her mother had it too. A few years ago, my wife, a retired nurse, noticed that I was having short-term memory problems. When I got lost trying to find my way around a familiar hospital campus, we decided that I needed to be medically evaluated. That was in 2010, and I was diagnosed with an “early-stage” memory problem. A year later, [...]

Scott Kirschenbaum on Making a Film in an Alzheimer’s Unit

Caregiving 10 Responses »

Mar 292012

Scott Kirschenbaum on Making a Film in an Alzheimer’s Unit

In the fall of 2008, I wrote a screenplay I intended to film entirely in an Alzheimer’s Unit. After many weeks of rehearsals, I arrived at a troubling realization: I was not just making a challenging film—I was making the wrong film. Writing a fictional Alzheimer’s narrative—creating a neat and orderly plot whose course I could control, from a disease by nature chaotic and nonlinear—was impossible. In the way that a son or daughter doesn’t [...]

Joey McIntyre’s Story: My Mom May Not Know Who I Am…

Caregiving, Featured Posts, Women & Minorities 21 Responses »

Mar 272012

Joey McIntyre's Story: My Mom May Not Know Who I Am...

But she does a pretty good job of making me feel like she does. I believe she knows there is a connection. She keeps it very simple when she talks to me. Partly I think because she knows that she can’t quite remember but is still witty enough to know that she doesn’t want to make it any more confusing than it already is for her. I think she is past the most scary part— [...]

Caregiver Facts and Figures: A Bittersweet Reality

Caregiving, Women & Minorities 19 Responses »

Mar 092012

Caregiver Facts and Figures: A Bittersweet Reality

This post originally appeared on the ChicagoNow blog, “Ask Dr. Chill: Practical Answers to the Toughest Caregiving Questions.” It is being reposted here with the author’s permission. Almost eight years at the Alzheimer’s Association — five at the Utah Chapter and close to three at the National Office right here in Chicago — left equally enduring imprints on my mind and heart. The mental imprint is analytical, bridging science and people in the shape of a fervent belief [...]

The Gift of Perspective

Caregiving 19 Responses »

Dec 232011

There are some topics on our message boards that pop up to surprise us, while others follow a pretty predictable cycle. Every year, around the holidays, calls to our helpline and posts on our message boards indicate many family members notice the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or advancing dementia. This is especially true of out-of-town family members who don’t see the person with dementia every day; they compare behaviors to previous times — [...]

Facing Early-Onset Alzheimer’s with Family, Humor & Love

Caregiving, Voices of Alzheimer's 135 Responses »

Oct 312011

Facing Early-Onset Alzheimer's with Family, Humor & Love

November is National Family Caregiver Month, and I wanted to share some personal thoughts on the subject of caregivers. I was a caregiver for my father, who passed away from Alzheimer’s 15 years ago, and I was diagnosed with the disease two-and -a-half years ago. The past. It has been almost 25 years since my father started to exhibit the signs of dementia. Back in those days, Alzheimer’s was not well- known by doctors [...]

Sudden Change in Behavior? Urinary Tract Infection Could Be the Cause

Caregiving 53 Responses »

Oct 212011

Sudden Change in Behavior? Urinary Tract Infection Could Be the Cause

As someone who works for the Alzheimer’s Association with support programs for caregivers, I decided to do a little research today on our Message Boards, where Alzheimer’s caregivers are able to communicate with each other about their concerns and get information and support from peers. For those who have been providing care to someone with Alzheimer’s disease for some time, the result will come as no surprise, but for those who are newer to caregiving, [...]

Pushing Past the Finish Line for My Mother

The Longest Day 9 Responses »

Jun 222011

Pushing Past the Finish Line for My Mother

I have seen what Alzheimer’s does to an individual first hand. My mother died from Alzheimer’s, my aunt died with Alzheimer’s, and I have an uncle living with the disease. Late this afternoon, as I walk for two-and-a-half hours through downtown Chicago, I will be thinking about all three of them. They are why I work for the Alzheimer’s Association, and why I am participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day™. I am committed to [...]

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