What to know during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

There’s a good chance Alzheimer’s has touched someone you know. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 30,000 people in Idaho have the disease. Those individuals are, in turn, cared for by about 74,000 loved ones who provide a combined 118 million hours of unpaid care each year.

Everyone forgets things now and then. Blanking on a name and remembering it later is a normal part of getting older. But Alzheimer’s looks different. Early on, a person might ask the same question repeatedly or forget something they learned a few days ago. Familiar tasks, like paying bills or following a favorite recipe, may start to trip them up. They might get turned around in a neighborhood they know well. Family members often notice changes in mood or a loved one pulling away from hobbies and friends.

If you notice these changes in yourself or someone you love, talk with your doctor. Memory trouble can also come from treatable causes like thyroid problems or medication side effects, so it’s worth getting checked either way. An early diagnosis also gives families more time to plan.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is demanding, and caregivers need support too. The Alzheimer’s Association runs a free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900, where you can talk with a specialist about anything from daily care to legal and financial planning. The Idaho chapter can connect you with local support groups, and Idaho Falls’ Agency on Aging can help you find services close to home.

Research has moved quickly in recent years. Two drugs, Leqembi and Kisunla, are now approved to slow the disease in its early stages by clearing a protein called amyloid from the brain. Neither is a cure, but they’re the first treatments shown to slow the disease itself. Diagnosis is getting easier as well. Several blood tests are now FDA-cleared to help doctors spot Alzheimer’s-related changes. Researchers are also studying how habits like regular exercise and staying socially connected may help protect the brain over time.

If Alzheimer’s is part of your family’s story, help is close by. Neurology and Sleep Specialists, Mountain View Hospital’s affiliate clinic, diagnoses and treats Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia at its locations in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and Rexburg. A conversation with your primary care provider is a good place to start, and they can refer you to get you or your loved one closer to the right care.