November is more than a month about giving thanks, it also marks National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. As we make precious memories with our families over the holiday season its important to remember, these memories are not guaranteed. Alzheimer’s is a very serious disease plaguing millions of Americans for no specific reason.

Some Facts about Alzheimer’s 

• Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Alzheimer’s is the only top 10 causes of death that can not be prevented, treated or cured
• Someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 68 seconds
• 5.2 million Americans are currently affected by Alzheimer’s (thats 1 in 9 Americans over the age of 65) and this number is projected to triple by 2050 (By 2050, the cost to care for as many as 16 million people in the U.S. battling the disease will exceed $1.2 trillion)

Almost anyone you talk to has been affected or knows someone affected by Alzheimers. In our family, it was my Gram. The hardest part was watching a woman who ran a household and had such control of her life slowly unravel. I watched as she forgot people in her life, including me, and often would yell for people who had passed long ago. This disease doesn’t only make you forget people but gram would forget that she just finished eating and would go to eat an entire meal again. This concerned us because over eating is not healthy when you do it with every meal, including dessert. It was painful to hear her call me a hussy when I kissed my poppy on the cheek goodbye. While we stood there helpless, our only option was to be there for her with patience and open arms. We did our best to make light of the situation and used laughter as a way to cope, but at the end of the day I just missed my Gram. I remember one specific visit, she told me she liked my husband and I should marry him. While it was clear she hadn’t remembered my wedding 10 years prior, at least I knew she REALLY DID like my husband.

The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (BAI) has taken the initiative to lead an Alzheimer’s prevention research through an online community called the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry. While many of us who are affected (directly or indirectly) by this disease feel helpless, the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry allows everyone the opportunity to participate and take action!

Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry

• A growing online community aimed at registering 250,000 healthy people 18 +
• Members are passionate about combatting the disease and see Alzheimer’s as a very significant health issue
• The Registry provides members with regular updates on the latest scientific advances and news, and information on overall brain health
• Enrollees may have the opportunity to participate in prevention studies

Joining the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry is the perfect way to not only learn about the disease, but also contribute to the resources needed in advancing research. Find out more information about the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry works here.

Interesting Facts about Advancing Alzheimer’s Research

• Researchers need to screen 10-20 times (or more!) the number of people needed to enroll in the trial.
• One of the biggest misconceptions about clinical trials is that they only involve people who are ill.
• Recruitment for clinical trials remains a barrier in pushing research forward.
• API’s research focuses on individuals without symptoms.

Join us today to end ALZ now!