Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer's disease is a dreaded disease that affects the cognitive functions of the brain. Although even the young can develop Alzheimer's, the risk increases as one grows older. Alzheimer's affects 4.5 million people below the age of 60 and those who get diagnosed with this disorder live on the average of eight to ten years.

There is no cure and what little treatment options available cannot put a stop to the disease's progression. So where does these leave patients who suffer from Alzheimer's disease?

The good thing about medical science is that it is constantly evolving. Every year, countless research are being conducted to help find a cure to diseases like Alzheimer's, whether government-funded or done completely through independent voluntary support.

Voluntary Support for Alzheimer's

As a world leader in research and support for Alzheimer's disease patients, the Alzheimer's Association is one of those voluntary health organizations that have dedicated itself to finding methods of prevention, treatments, and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's. To date, the Alzheimer's Association is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated solely to Alzheimer's, not to mention the first group to ever tread in this territory.

Much of the fear that people have of Alzheimer's stems from the fact that only very little is known about this disease. Patients who have it are frequently misunderstood so that instead of helping them cope with this difficult illness, many end up pushing them further into a corner. But with such groups as the Alzheimer's Association to help spread more accurate information about this form of brain disorder, patients can look on with new hope.

The Alzheimer's Association Vision-Mission

The Alzheimer's Association has been helping Alzheimer's disease patients for 25 years. Their goal is "to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health."

And so in keeping with this mission in mind, the donor-supported, not-for-profit Alzheimer's Association has provided services to the Alzheimer community, including reliable information and care consultation, supportive services for families, funding for dementia research, and public policy changes.

The Alzheimer's Association considers "a world without Alzheimer's disease" as their vision and aims to realize it by providing voluntary services that are mainly about people and about science.

Below is a list of some of the things they do to help Alzheimer's patients and their families keep up the battle against the disease:

* Toll-free 24/7 Helpline that provides reliable information, referrals, and support in 140 languages.

* Local chapters that provide core services to families and professionals from coast to coast

* CareFinder, their newest online tool that can make finding the right care easier

* Their online community helps you connect with people from all across the country

* Alzheimer's Association Safe Return, a nationwide identification, support and enrollment program (for patients who wander)

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