With over 5 million cases, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Despite this sobering statistic, many people don't know a lot of definitive information about the disease, or are afraid to get tested. The Louisiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is working to change this fact. Representatives travel across the Twin Cities this month to spread information in honor of Alzheimer's Awareness month.
Caring for those with the debilitating disease is scheduled to cost the country over $226 billion this year alone, according to Debbie Hayes, associate director of the Louisiana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, but the true cost is much higher than that.
"Alzheimer's is such a debilitating disease. it impacts not just the individual, but the family as well - to watch your loved one fade away slower, or quite quickly in some cases," says Hayes.
Hayes cautions that a new case of Alzheimer's develops every 66 seconds, and that small changes in short term memory should be taken seriously. A physician help test and treat the early stages of the disease.
For more information, visit the Louisiana Chapter's Facebook page.
