The Good, The Bad and to the END of Alzheimer's Disease

Today was the nation wide Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™, which raised awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The colors of Alzheimer's: Each flower denotes whether one has lost a loved one to AD, is a caregiver or has been diagnosed with this 21st Century Scourge

(CLERMONT, FL) - Shortly after my mother was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy in 2007, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

My father was 86 when he ‘died’ last Tuesday; but the Pop I grew up with had ‘died’ years ago.

I liked and loved this new Pop even more than before and I am convinced that the reason Pop had become the most pleasantly confused and upbeat of all the old people I have ever known, was because he never held a grudge and he always found the humor in the worst of situations.

I am convinced because Pop was wired that way; his long term memories were all good!

Last Sunday and three days before Pop took his last breath, he suffered a massive heart attack and stroke and never woke up.

Last Tuesday, with my mom and me holding Pop’s hands and my husband’s, we all prayed Pop to heaven.

Within minutes, Pop took a few last breathes with long pauses and when he breathed his last, I felt an inexplicable peace and joy fill me.

I take that as confirmation that Pop was indeed in heaven and he had forgiven and forgotten all the grief I gave him through our years.

One such incident happened in 1966.

While in a 1964 gold Ford Galaxy with two of my three brothers and both folks up front, and just before we reached the Holland Tunnel, a radio announcer announced that John Lennon had admitted that The Beatles, "Were more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first-rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."

Pop was a devout Catholic and I caused him to became apoplectic with anger when I blurted out, “Lennon is so right! My friends and I know every lyric to every Beatle song there is, but nobody ever quotes Jesus. And if Jesus is suppose to be on the side of the poor, why doesn't the church sell all their art work and pope jewelry and go and feed them?"

I still wonder about that, as I do with the fact that unless a cure or prevention is found for Alzheimer’s Disease/AD soon, that condition alone will bankrupt this nation!

Mild cognitive impairment/MCI is the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging, and the development of AD and not everyone with MCI develops AD.

There is no proven way to prevent AD, but there are some practices-particularly if you have a family history of dementia-that may help delay the onset.

· Consume a low-fat diet.

· Eat cold-water fish (like tuna, salmon, and mackerel) rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week.

· Reduce your intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products.

· Increase antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C by eating plenty of darkly colored fruits and vegetables.

· Maintain a normal blood pressure.

· Stay mentally and socially active throughout your life.

· Talk with your MD about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), sulindac (Clinoril), or indomethacin (Indocin). Statin drugs, a class of medications normally used for high cholesterol, may help lower the risk of AD.

Today was the nation wide Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™, which raised awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Over 600 communities with participants of all ages walked in solidarity to end AD, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

We the people walked today and dedicated ourselves to tomorrow to HELP end Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research.

Over 5.4 million American’s have been diagnosed with AD and over 15 million family members and friends care for them.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides support for all affected and IMAGINES a world without Alzheimer’s disease®.

Please contact your local chapter for more information about programs and services in your community.