Purple Stands For Alzheimer's

The Awareness color for Alzheimer’s disease is purple. That is why at Purpleologist of Myrtle Beach we would like to take the time to show our support for such a wide spread, life changing disease. You can join us by showing your support and wearing purple, especially this month October. Alzheimer’s disease affects an enormous amount of people across the country, not only those with the disease but family members and friends as well. This illness is devastating for all involved. With the following information, please take the time to educate yourself.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

● Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease include loss in thinking and language skills, loss in memory, and behavioral changes caused by a degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells.

● Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common loss of intellectual function and cause of dementia for people 65 years and older.

● The risk of developing the disease increases with aging, although is not a normal part of aging.

Alzheimer's Statistics

● An estimated 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease.

● Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

● Research from the National Institute on Aging shows that the chances of Alzheimer’s doubles every 5 years after the age of 65.

● One to four family members act as caregivers for those with the Alzheimer’s disease.

Life Expectancy

From the time of diagnosis, people live an average of eight to ten years with Alzheimer’s disease. It generally progresses over two to twenty years. Those with the disease most commonly die from pneumonia and are likely to develop co-existing illnesses.

10 Symptoms and Signs of Alzheimer’s

1. Memory Loss - Forgetting important dates, events, and newly learned information. The need to rely on memory aids.
2. Problem Solving and Planning Become Challenging - Difficulty in day to day tasks such as paying monthly bills, following plans or working with numbers. Concentrating becomes difficult.
3. Completing Familiar Tasks is Difficult 
   - Managing the budget
   - Driving to previous known locations
4. Confusion With Time of Places
   - Lose track of dates and the passage of time
   - May forget where they are
5. Trouble With Visual Images
   - Difficulty reading
   - Difficulty judging distance and color
6.  Problems With Words While Speaking or Writing
   - Trouble with following a conversation
   - May repeat themselves in a conversation
   - Difficulty finding the correct word to use.
7.  Misplacing things
   - May lose things or put them in unusual places
   - Not be capable of retracing their steps.
8.  Decreased Judgement
   - Changes in decision making such as poor judgement with financial decisions
   - Paying less attention to personal hygiene
9.  Withdrawal From Social Activities and/or Work
   - May remove themselves from work projects, hobbies or social activities.
10.  Personality and Mood Changes
    - Commonly become confused, paranoid, depressed or anxious.

Talk to Your Doctor About Alzheimer's

If you notice any of the 10 warnings signs listed above in yourself or someone you know, please do not ignore them. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Remember that people with memory loss may find it difficult to recognize any problems and may resist signs and symptoms. If you have noticed any of the 10 warning signs you may fill out the attached sheet and take it into the doctor. 

Alzheimer's Diagnosis (there is no single test that show if a person has Alzheimer’s)

● Medical History

● Mental Status Testing

● Neurological and physical exam

● Rule out other causes of dementia symptoms with brain imaging and blood tests

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that is emotionally and physically hard to manage. Support and knowledge is an important step. For more information, connect with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s licensed social workers. Click here or call 866.232.8484. Real People. Real Care.

Team Purpleologist Walks to End Alzheimer's

On Saturday October 17th, The Purpleologist Team will be walking once again to end Alzheimer's.

Here is a picture from last years walk...