Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of dementia. It is a fatal progressive disease of the brain that robs memory and steals the ability to reason, communicate and perform daily tasks.
Changes in the brain can begin to appear decades before diagnosis and progression can last between seven and 10 years. Eventually, the person affected will require 24-hour care and supervision.
Age is the single biggest risk factor, but the disease can also strike as early as 40.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is a non-profit organization providing province-wide support and education for families impacted by dementia and anyone concerned with memory loss, and leads a provincial effort to transform dementia care in the province.
More information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia is available at www.alzheimerbc.org.