is for Alzheimer's Disease

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE is a sickness that happens in someone's brain, usually someone older! It can make them super forgetful and sometimes they might need some help from their family to live normally.

is for Brain

Your BRAIN is a special part of your body. It's in your head and controls all your thoughts and actions! When someone has Alzheimer's, their brain doesn't work as well as it normally does.

is for Caregiver.

A CAREGIVER is someone who helps take care of someone who has Alzheimer's. This person might be like a nurse, and can help the patient do everyday things, like get dressed and eat lunch!

is for Doctor.

The DOCTOR is the person who can help the patient feel better! They can diagnose the disease and then decide what to do to make it better!

In the EARLY STAGE of Alzheimer's Disease, it is pretty mild. Symptoms are problems coming up with the right word or name, trouble remembering names when introduced to new people, challenges performing tasks in social or work settings, forgetting material that one has just read, losing or misplacing a valuable object, and increasing trouble with planning or organizing. Sadly, Alzheimer's gets worse over time.

is for Early Stage.

is for Forgetfulness.

You know how sometimes when your mom or dad asks you to do something, you just forget to do it? Well, with Alzheimer's FORGETFULNESS is really common! Someone with Alzheimer's may have a tough time remembering what they had for breakfast, and later, they might even forget the names of people who are close to them!

is for Grandparents.

Your GRANDPARENTS are people who might be more likely to get Alzheimer's. If they do, it's okay to feel a little sad about it, but remember that they are still your grandparent and still love you! It's important to act normal with them and show them how much you love them, not matter what!

is for Help.

There are a few things you can do to HELP avoid getting Alzheimer's disease when you get older! Eating the Mediterranean diet, fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread or pasta, and fish can help! So can exercising regularly and using your mind frequently!

is for Increasing Age.

INCREASING AGE is the only thing that makes you more likely to get Alzheimer's. Sadly, there is no cure for the disease, and there are more than 5 million Americans living with it!

is for JOURNEY.

Each person has a different JOURNEY once they're diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It is important to look at someone's health history to see how Alzheimer's will effect them, so they can get the best care options!

is for KNOWLEDGE.

The more KNOWLEDGE researchers have about Alzheimer's disease, the closer they will be to finding a cure! You can help researchers gain more information by asking your parents to donate to an Alzheimer's foundation!

is for LIFE EXPECTANCY.

LIFE EXPECTANCY is different for everyone that is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Some people can live for 10 years after the diagnoses and some can live over 20 years!

is for MOOD.

Alzheimer's disease can make someone's brain very sick, and as it get sicker, that person's MOOD can change from happy to sad very quickly. It is important to still show that you love and support them so they can feel better!

is for NEURON.

Alzheimer's disease can cause your NEURONS to die. Neurons are cells in your brain that help tell your body to do things like to walk or to eat. Overtime, this causes your brain to shrink as the disease progresses.

is for ONSET

Alzheimer's is usually a disease which effects old people 65 years old and above, but in some rare cases people can be younger. Early ONSET Alzheimer's affects only 5% of people.

PLAQUES are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid that build up in spaces between nerve cells. In a healthy brain, beta-amyloid fragments are broken down and eliminated, but in an Alzheimer's brain, these fragments bunch together.

is for PLAQUE.