Alzheimer's on the rise, even locally

FRISCO - The latest report by the National Alzheimer's Association showed a 10 percent increase in Alzheimer's Disease cases, and Summit County is not immune to this surge.

In fact, as the population here continues to age, more diagnoses will be made. According to this year's report, one in eight people age 65 and older have the disease and age is the biggest risk factor for it.

"We believe with the number of baby boomers who will soon be turning 65 that that number (those with Alzheimer's) will increase," said Christy Nelson, volunteer coordinator at the Summit County Community and Senior Center who coordinates the Memory Loss Support Group.

The group, that is a partnership with the Colorado Chapter of Alzheimer's Association, is designed to help family, caregivers cope with stress, share tough moments, joys, tips and become educated on the latest research and information.

Linda Trenbeath, of Silver Plume, is a facilitator for the support group who has a masters in psychology and personal knowledge of what caring for someone is Alzheimer's is like.

"It's a devastating disease that has a major impact on any family," she said.

While the exact number of those in Summit, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin and Lake counties with the disease is not known, it is known that about 6,500 residents are above the age of 65. The Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 10 percent of these individuals have some form of dementia or suffer from memory loss and that number will likely grow.

An estimated 5 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's and every 72 seconds someone develops it, according to the national association. By the year 2050, the number of those diagnosed could reach 16 million.

Also, 59 percent of care for the nation's elderly falls to women family members between the ages of 45 and 65. As a result of their role as caregivers, they are known to experience greater stress levels and ignore personal health needs.

The local support group is designed to help ease some of this stress. Any caregiver of someone with memory loss that could be from stroke or another health issue not just Alzheimer's is welcome at the local meeting. And, "no matter what stage of Alzheimer's they find themselves caregiving, this would be a group for them," Nelson said. Additionally, the support could help someone even if the person they are caring for doesn't live in the county, she added.

The group does not consist of medical professionals, but they do offer resources for people with questions and those wanting to understand the difference between normal aging memory loss and the disease, Trenbeath said. A brochure is available and it is online at the National Alzheimer's Association website.

Behaviors in patients are "very distinctive," she added. At the monthly group, caregivers help each other understand next steps and how to deal with the confusion, frustration, agitation and other emotions patients go through.

"They're all there to support each other in a common challenge," Trenbeath said.

"When you have someone you care about with memory loss, you really get isolated ... You get embarrassed, life is changed and you face difficult things," she later continued. "I encourage people to come. It helps them be less isolated and could improve their life and the life of the one they are caring for."

<b>Support Group</b>

The Memory Loss Support Group for family, caregivers of those suffering from memory loss meets this Wednesday and the first Wednesday of every month at the Community and Senior Center, 151 Peak One Blvd. in Frisco. In July, the group will meet July 11, due to the holiday.

It is free and there is no attendance requirement. For more information about the group, call Christy Nelson at 668-2940. Also, for more information about Alzheimer's and determining what is normal memory loss due to age verses signs of Alzheimer's visit the National Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or the Colorado Chapter at www.alzco.org.



Lory Pounder can be reached at (970) 668-4628, or at lpounder@summitdaily.com.