 Congressman John Garamendi delivers opening remarks during last month's Alzheimer's education event at the County Events Center in Fairfield.
Alzheimer’s Disease: 10 warning signs and why early detection is important
Alzheimer’s disease is a troubling condition that does not discriminate as to those who it affects, and we all know someone, whether directly or indirectly, that has been touched by it.
The troubling aspect is that, as of today, there is no cure. However, the first survivor of Alzheimer’s is out there, and I am confident that through advocacy and research by groups such as the Alzheimer’s Association, or elected leaders and health care professionals, that the day is coming.
For now, education and awareness are key in helping those dealing with Alzheimer’s live as healthy and productive of a life as possible. That is why I invited the Alzheimer’s Association and 3rd District Congressman John Garamendi to join me last month for an education and resource fair inside the County Events Center in Fairfield. The program, Alzheimer’s Education and Empowerment: Early Detection Matters, gave attendees the opportunity to hear from a family care specialist from the Alzheimer’s Association about how to recognize the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, as well as a discussion of what health care systems are doing to prepare for the growing number of patients, led by Dr. Saad Basheer and Dr. Edie Zusman, of Kaiser Permanente and NorthBay Healthcare, respectively.
Brianna McCulloch, left, of Vacaville Music Therapy, talks to Pastor Art Zacher during the resource fair portion of the Alzheimer's education event.
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I am concerned not just for those battling Alzheimer’s themselves, but for their family members and caregivers who step in to help a loved one when they can no longer care for themselves, especially women. Not only are two-thirds of those living with Alzheimer's women, but women also make up two-thirds of the population that is providing care for someone with Alzheimer's. Who will care for the caregivers?
Alzheimer’s not only takes away what should be the best years of one’s life but can put a financial and emotional burden on family members who take care of an ailing relative. More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
On a broader level, Alzheimer’s is set to become a crisis that everyone will experience as it impacts our nation’s health care system. Currently, 5.8 million American’s are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to nearly 14 million. As of this year, Alzheimer’s will cost the nation $290 billion. By 2050, the cost could rise to nearly $1.1 trillion.
Until there is a cure, it’s important that Alzheimer’s is detected early, a major point made by Dori Sproul, Family Care Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association at last month’s event. However, only about 16 percent of seniors report that they receive regular cognitive assessments. There are many benefits to early diagnosis, such as a better chance of benefitting from treatment, emotional and social benefits and cost savings for medical and long-term care. For more on the importance of getting checked early, visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/why-get-checked.
To learn the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, log on to, https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs.
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Since 2003, Supervisor John M. Vasquez has had the privilege to represent the 4th Supervisorial District covering Northern Solano County. The district includes portions of Vacaville and Dixon. |
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