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Alzheimer's
Foundation of America marks National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness
Month
NEW YORK, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ --
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is marking National
Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month this November with three major
national initiatives aimed at raising awareness of this devastating
brain disorder from educational and emotional vantage points.
National Alzheimer's Disease
Awareness Month is especially meaningful this November given that
2006 denotes the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Alzheimer's
disease. In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician detected
the disease's characteristic plaques and tangles during an autopsy
of a woman's brain.
Today, an estimated five
million Americans have Alzheimer's disease; the incidence is
expected to triple by mid-century, in large part due to
aging baby boomers.
AFA will mark the start of this
commemorative month by unveiling the AFA Quilt to Remember, the
nation's first dementia-related quilt that is grand in scale and
that will continually grow with ongoing contributions. Patterned
after the AIDS Memorial Quilt, it consists of massive panels that
creatively memorialize or honor individuals affected by Alzheimer's
disease and related dementias.
The AFA Quilt to Remember will be
showcased in Central Park in New York City on November 3 and 4, with
nearly 100 panels on display. Then, the quilt will tour the country
for years to come, including stops in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles
and other major cities in 2007.
"The AFA Quilt to Remember is a
powerful work of art that unleashes a huge outpouring of emotion by
families across the country. The panels 'speak' for those who can no
longer speak for themselves. They both symbolize loss and celebrate
life," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's chief executive officer.
Also on an inspirational front,
AFA is sponsoring its annual National Commemorative Candle Lighting
on November 9. Alzheimer's organizations, long- term care facilities
and other community groups across the United States will be hosting
candle lighting ceremonies and lighting "candles of care" to
remember those who have passed or are living with the disease, and
to honor their caregivers.
Then, on November 14, hundreds of
sites from coast to coast will offer free confidential memory
screenings as part of AFA's fourth annual National Memory Screening
Day. Participating agencies will provide face-to-face screenings and
information about Alzheimer's disease, successful aging and local
resources.
The screening, which consists of a
series of questions and tasks, could indicate whether someone should
follow up with a complete medical exam. It is not used to diagnose
any illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified
professional, the AFA said.
The AFA suggests that anyone
concerned about changes in memory or other intellectual functions
should get screened. Warning signs include forgetfulness about names
and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written
skills, confusion, and erratic mood swings.
With these national initiatives,
Hall said, "Our goal is to wake America's consciousness about
Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and to let people know
that real lives are touched by this heartbreaking disease every day.
We need to step up the nation's focus on education and care, while
we await a cure."
AFA is a New York-based national
nonprofit organization that focuses on care for individuals with
Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their families. Its
services include a toll-free hot line, counseling by licensed social
workers, bilingual educational materials and a free magazine for
caregivers. For more information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or
visit
http://www.alzfdn.org/.
Source:
The Alzheimer's Foundation of
America (AFA)