Alzheimer's Association is there for those battling the disease
Jan. 9—Alzheimer's is a horrible disease.
According to the Alzheimer's Association website, Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. The website also states that symptoms can eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and twice as many caregivers, many of them unpaid family members.
According to a figure reported by the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, there were 80,000 people living with Alzheimer's in Connecticut in 2022.
Most people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease after the age of 65, however there are many who are diagnosed before the age of 65. People with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia usually live from 2-20 years after diagnosis, however there is no typical time period that someone lives.
For Connecticut residents suffering from Alzheimer's, as well as their families, the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter provides excellent resources.
The Connecticut Chapter's main office is centrally located in Southington, which gives communities from across the state 24/7 multilingual helpline support, family training seminars, care consultation, first responder training, support groups and educational programs for healthcare professionals, those dealing with the disease and the public.
The chapter also has offices in Norwalk, Norwich, New Milford and Hamden.
Kristen Cusato, director of communications for the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, noted that the chapter is always there for state residents affected by Alzheimer's.
" We are [ always] available, and we're a nonprofit," Cusato said. " We don't charge for our education classes, for our support groups."
In addition, the Connecticut Chapter has influenced public policy changes and has provided support to dementia research in the hope of finding a cure.
" The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support," read a statement on the Connecticut Chapter page on the Alzheimer's Association website.
To move research forward, the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association raised money at their six Walk to End Alzheimer's events this fall and 'The Longest Day' fundraising effort held each year on June 21.
The Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter is there to lend a helping hand to all Connecticut residents affected by Alzheimer's.
"We are serving the families because we don't want folks to go through this journey alone," Cusato said. "And that's what's most important. We want everyone to know that they can rely on us when and if they get an Alzheimer's diagnosis in their family."
For immediate assistance on a matter concerning Alzheimer's Disease, call the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 helpline (800.272.3900).
For more information on the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, visit the chapter's page on the Alzheimer's Association website ( https:// www. alz. org/ct).
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