September is World Alzheimer’s Month.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million individuals in the United States are living with the disease, which ranks as the 6th leading cause of death in our country.
By 2050, the association projects that the number could rise as high as 16 million.
The association cites the importance of knowing and not ignoring the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information
- Challenges in developing and following plans or working with numbers
- Difficulty in completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and judging distances
- Trouble following or joining in a conversation; finding the right words; calling things by the wrong name
- Misplacing things; losing the ability to retrace steps
- Poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood or personality; easily confused, fearful, anxious, depressed or suspicious
The Alzheimer’s Association strongly recommends scheduling an appointment with your doctor should you notice signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Early detection can help you get the maximum benefits from treatments that are available to help you maintain a level of independence longer.
Gardant Management Solutions operates several assisted living communities that are designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia – Eagle’s View in Rantoul, Illinois; White Oaks at Heritage Woods of South Elgin in Illinois; White Oaks at Huntley in Illinois; and White Oaks at Spring Street in South Elgin, Illinois
The Sanctuary at St. Cloud in Minnesota and White Oaks at Heritage Woods of McHenry in Illinois are scheduled to open this fall.
The focus of the Memory Care communities is to provide opportunities for residents to maintain a sense of purpose and belonging in all seasons of dementia.