Dementia is a chronic disorder of mental processes. People with dementia may have forgetfulness, limited social skills, and thinking abilities so impaired that they interfere with daily functioning. There are 50 million people worldwide who are living with dementia, including more than 5 million Americans. Without change in prevention or treatment, that number could reach nearly 14 million by 2050. This disease also affects 16 million Americans who provide unpaid care for people living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the leading cause of dementia in the US and among older individuals. It is caused by a debilitating cascade where the brain begins to shrink and brain cells die. Additionally, Alzheimer’s Disease is fatal and disproportionately effects people from non-white populations. At the moment, there is no treatment for this disease, but research is constantly being done.
The Hawkeye recently partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization helping families throughout Long Island, specifically the Nassau and Suffolk counties, who are dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of neurodegenerative disorders. A representative from our local branch, Alisamarie Yiatras, spoke in several seminars.
3/9 | Healthy Living For Your Brain and Body |
3/23 | 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease |
3/30 | Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia |
The students who attended these events received community service hours from their honor societies and learned crucial information about Alzheimer’s. If you would like to learn more, we are excited to share resources including handouts and worksheets/books! More resources are attached to the end of this blog.
Additionally, we will be organizing a School Engagement Program for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This is an annual event that raises funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease. The walk will provide everyone with a chance to make a positive impact in our community. Please keep up to date with our newspapers and blog posts so you can learn more about this opportunity!
Alzheimer’s Association List of Resources:
- Our website: www.alz.org/longisland
- 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900
- For Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center: www.alz.org/safety
- Alzheimer’s Navigator: www.alzheimersnavigator.org
- Alzconnected: www.alzconnected.org
- Go like our Facebook page to get more information and stay up to date with events we are offering: www.facebook.com/alzlongisland
- For pre-recorded education trainings: www.training.alz.org
- To learn about Alzheimer’s Association’s TrialMatch: alz.org/trialmatch
- The Longest Day: www.alz.org/tld
- Advocacy: www.alzimpact.org
- To volunteer: www.alz.org/volunteer
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s: alz.org/walk