Take Me To Post Comment Form You are not alone living with this neurological disease called by many names:dementia, Alzheimer's,old timer's disease,hardening of the arteries, senility, multi-infarct, Lewey Body Disease, cognitive decline, loosing his marbles...but many patients and caregivers feel alone as they deal with the many changes brought on by a disease that is now the 6th leading cause of death in America.

The Alzheimer's Association provides a 24 Hour Help Line number, 1-800-272-3900 with people trained to answer questions about caregiving and typical patient changes in mood, memory,self care, perception and safety.
Caregivers are strongly encouraged to attend caregiver support group meetings to meet other caregivers, to learn the typical stages of cognitive loss so they and the family can be prepared to adjust to the patient's ever changing needs during this long term disease that typically lasts an average of eight years after diagnosis.

A group meets the second Monday of each month at Statesboro First Methodist Church at 1:30 in the church library. Caregivers are strongly encouraged to attend meetings whenever you can get away from caregiving duties. During the October meeting, materials will be handed out to help the caregiver get the most from physician's appointments and the facilitator will review the basics of Alzheimer's dementia.

Call the 1-800-272-3900 number and sign up to participate in the Walk To Remember on October 6 to raise funds and awareness of the needs of caregivers and patients in our area.Ask your friends to support you as you walk with others in a search for a future without Alzheimer's.

Visit the "Caring Closet" at the Outreach Center (489-8547)on Fridays from 9:30-1:30 in Statesboro to learn how to receive free supplies for a patient with Alzheimer's who is living at home. Get information about services for families in the area impacted by this memory loss disease that touches so many people in your church, golf group, work and social life.