Shedding a Light on Alzheimer's

As people get older, they often have the tendency to be a bit more forgetful in everyday life. Some may start to wonder if they are developing dementia. It’s important to know that mild forgetfulness is just a part of the aging process and a formal diagnosis of something like Alzheimer's requires a thorough analysis.

Cindy DeGroot, Senior Life Learning Coordinator and a Certified Dementia Practitioner with Riverside Senior Life Communities provides important information about Alzheimer's disease—which is just one of the many types of dementia.

Alzheimer's Risk Factors

Alzheimer's disease is a slow neurodegenerative disease of the brain. It mainly affects memory, thinking, and behaviors. “The brain shrinks, and brain cells eventually die. This causes individuals to forget about basic information that allows them to function day in and day out,” states DeGroot.

Age is the number-one risk factor; one in three seniors will die from the disease. The majority of people who develop Alzheimer's are not diagnosed until over age 75. However, there is the possibility younger people (40s, 50s) will be diagnosed.

Another risk factor is genetic predisposition. “It doesn't mean because your mom had it, your grandma had it, that you will get it. But your risk is higher,” notes DeGroot. Finally, women are diagnosed more than men.

Support Services at Riverside

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be a scary time, for both the individual affected and their loved ones. People with advanced Alzheimer’s often need to be cared for 24/7. Riverside offers a number of resources to help navigate the process. For example, free educational programs. Riverside Senior Life Communities offers memory care in both Kankakee and Bourbonnais, and has the advantage of board-certified neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other dedicated staff members. Riverside also offers support groups across the various campuses and provides community outreach.

“We work with a lot of different community partners that offer community education programming. One of those we currently have going on is with the KCC's Lifelong Learning Institute which has free programming,” explains DeGroot. “Most of it's free for people who are 50 years or older in the community. That's your target population for caregivers of these loved ones experiencing the disease process.”

Community Events

Riverside is dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Some efforts include events such as The Longest Day, held on the summer solstice.

“It has become tradition through the support of encouraging families and organizations, businesses, students, clubs, whoever it might be to join together and really help provide education, increasing awareness of what this disease is, focusing on brain health for younger people when we look at lifestyles,” shares DeGroot. “Together, they use their creativity, their passion, to do fun brain-healthy activities from sunrise to sunset.”

Alzheimer’s Advocacy and Awareness

While Alzheimer's may be a daunting disease to live with, especially with no cure at this time, DeGroot wants to reassure patients and their loved ones it doesn’t have to be dire 100% of the time.

“It is something you never think you're going to experience. We all have to be an advocate for those who are living with the disease to find a cure but also help them have the best and safest quality of life. For those who are caring for their loved ones, it is the longest day each and every day when they are a 24/7 care partner. I know firsthand from a personal experience with my mom who passed away last year. I think that's heightened my awareness and my focus on advocacy for all those involved with caring for loved ones living with dementia-related diseases.”

Want to Hear More? Listen to the Podcast:

Check out the full conversation with Cindy DeGroot on this episode of Well Within Reach.

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