Why Should Anyone Care About Alzheimer's Disease

Online, November 4, 2010 (Newswire.com) - According to www.thealzheimerspouse.com, the #1 site on the Internet for support and information for spouses of Alzheimer patients, the most common misconceptions about Alzheimer's Disease are:

It is a normal part of aging.
It is a disease of the elderly.
It is a disease of forgetting.
There are medications to cure it.
There are survivors of the disease.
All of these facts are false.

The facts are:

Alzheimer's Disease is NOT a normal part of aging. It is a brain disease that affects all areas of brain functioning - cognitive ability; comprehension; language; mobility; speaking; memory; all bodily functions.

It is not an "old person's disease". Many cases are diagnosed as young as 35 -50, and increasingly, people are being diagnosed in their 60's.

Medications stabilize the symptoms in some patients for up to two years, but they do not cure it or stop it.

There are no survivors. The disease is 100% fatal.

The spousal members of www.thealzheimerspouse.com are sharing their stories with the media during Alzheimer's Awareness month in an effort to save others from the torment of misdiagnosis and misunderstanding they endured from the medical community, their families, friends, and acquaintances. It is imperative that everyone understand the true nature of Alzheimer's Disease, so they can get the appropriate diagnosis and support for themselves and their loved ones. No, Alzheimer's Disease cannot be stopped or cured, but with proper diagnosis, the caregiver can receive support, information, and education on how to cope, and armed with that information and support, the patient can have a better quality of life.