In this episode of Fight Back, we have a conversation about Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive problems severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, with most people afflicted over the age of 65. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
We welcome our special guest, Claire Day, to talk about Alzheimer's. Claire has been on the staff of the Alzheimer's Association since 2001. She is currently the Chief Program Officer at the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter and oversees all clinical operations and service delivery throughout the Chapter's territory. She and her highly trained staff deliver community social services in the form of education, support, advocacy, and care management to people with Alzheimer's and their families, as well as to professional caregivers.
Claire discusses what Alzheimer's is, how it is diagnosed, what families should look for and do when early symptoms arise, the newly FDA approved treatment for Alzheimer's, and much more.