Learn about the myths and realities of Alzheimer’s disease

Memory loss is a natural part of aging. True. Alzheimer’s disease isn’t fatal. False. Common myths surround Alzheimer’s disease — learn what’s true and what’s false.

Myth 1: Memory loss is a natural part of aging.

Reality: As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met. However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades.

It can be difficult to tell normal memory problems from memory problems that should be a cause for concern. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed information to help you tell the difference. If you or a loved one has memory problems or other problems with thinking and learning that concern you, contact a physician. Sometimes the problems are caused by medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies or other conditions and can be reversed with treatment. The memory and thinking problems may also be caused by another type of dementia.

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.

Reality: Alzheimer’s disease has no survivors. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person’s identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk and find his or her way home.

Myth 3: Only older people can get Alzheimer’s

Reality: Alzheimer’s can strike people in their 30s, 40s and even 50s. This is called younger-onset Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that there are more than 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. This includes 5.2 million people age 65 and older and 200,000 people younger than age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Reality: During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat.

Myth 5: Aspartame causes memory loss.

Reality: This artificial sweetener, marketed under such brand names as Nutrasweet and Equal, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in all foods and beverages in 1996. Since approval, concerns about aspartame’s health effects have been raised.

According to the FDA, as of May 2006, the agency had not been presented with any scientific evidence that would lead to change its conclusions on the safety of aspartame for most people. The agency says its conclusions are based on more than 100 laboratory and clinical studies.Read the May 2006 FDA statement about aspartame.

Myth 6: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Reality: A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and overall better health.

• A Nov. 27, 2001, Canadian Medical Journal report suggests older adults who were vaccinated against diphtheria or tetanus, polio, and influenza seemed to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those not receiving these vaccinations. The full text of this report is posted on the journal’s Web site. 
• A report in the Nov. 3, 2004, JAMA found that annual flu shots for older adults were associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes. The abstract of that report is posted on PubMed.

Myth 7: Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Reality: According to the best available scientific evidence, there is no relationship between silver dental fillings and Alzheimer’s. The concern that there could be a link arose because “silver” fillings are made of an amalgam (mixture) that typically contains about 50 percent mercury, 35 percent silver and 15 percent tin. Mercury is a heavy metal that, in certain forms, is known to be toxic to the brain and other organs.

Many scientists consider the studies below compelling evidence that dental amalgam is not a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Public health agencies, including the FDA, the U.S. Public Health Service and the World Health Organization, endorse the continued use of amalgam as safe, strong, inexpensive material for dental restorations.

• March 1991, the Dental Devices Panel of the FDA concluded there was no current evidence that amalgam poses any danger.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1991 funded a study at the University of Kentucky to investigate the relationship between amalgam fillings and Alzheimer’s. Analysis by University statisticians revealed no significant association between silver fillings and Alzheimer’s. The abstract for this study is posted on the Journal of the American Dental Association Web site.
• October 30, 2003, a New England Journal of Medicine article concluded that current evidence shows no connection between mercury-containing dental fillings and Alzheimer’s or other neurological diseases. The abstract for this study is posted on theNew England Journal of Medicine Web site.

Myth 8: There are treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Reality: At this time, there is no treatment to cure, delay or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. FDA-approved drugs temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about 6 to 12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who take them.

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Local company hopes to raise $50,000 to #ENDALZ

Chicagobased Everywhere Wireless is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter to raise money to help end Alzheimer’s. Everywhere Wireless will donate $250 for every new property it connects to its network with the goal of raising $50,000 by year’s end.

Chicago based Everywhere Wireless is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter to raise money to help end Alzheimer’s. Everywhere Wireless will donate $250 for every new property it connects to its network with the goal of raising $50,000 by year’s end.
“Just about everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia,” said Keegan Bonebrake, executive vice president of Everywhere Wireless.”Three of my four grandparents were affected by Alzheimer’s and this program has created a way to bring faster Internet to Chicago, while serving a public good. It’s a winwin for everyone.”
“We greatly appreciate Everywhere Wireless’ commitment to raising awareness and funds to combat Alzheimer’s disease, the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Our partnership with them is exciting and together we’re looking forward to raising $50,000 to benefit Alzheimer’s research, care, and support,” said Steve Schapiro, Vice President of Corporate Engagement of the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Everywhere Wireless provides contract free Internet to multifamily properties of approximately 30 units or more and to businesses such as Cisco, CBS, Nike and Google, starting at $19/month.
For complete details and information, visit the company’s program page or call 866.923.0982.
Everywhere Wireless is just one example of a company teaming up to help end this epidemic. Ask your company to team up with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter today,
How your company can help
It’s likely that many members of your corporate community your employees, customers and key stakeholders are already connected to the disease. But are they finding the help they need? Are they engaged with the Alzheimer’s cause and empowered to take action? By partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, your company can stand with the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research as we confront a crisis that devastates millions of families and a significant portion of our nation’s workforce. The Greater Illinois Chapter offers corporate partners a variety of ways to engage in meaningful collaboration.
– Educate and empower your employees on a variety of Alzheimer’s topics. Both in person and web based education available. Register your company for one of our upcomingwebinars.
– Strengthen your team and drive increased levels of employee engagement:
…..- Go Purple during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June
…..- Go Casual for a Cause and raise funds to support our mission (aka Jeans Days)
…..- Include the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter in your workplace giving program, offering your employees an easy way to support the cause.
…..- Promote gift matching opportunities, if available
…..- Encourage participation in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research
…..- Encourage participation in the Longest Day, a growing event to honor the strength, heart and endurance of those facing the disease
…..- Promote group and individual volunteer opportunities
…..- Publicly display your good corporate citizenship and extend brand awareness
…..- Become a corporate sponsor for one or more of the following events?
………- Walk to End Alzheimer’s (SeptemberOctober), The Longest Day (June 21 Summer Solstice), Research Symposium (October), Reason To Hope (April)
………- Make a corporate donation
………- Reinforce your brand and drive sales through a strategic cause marketing (percentage of sales) promotion
Click here to learn more about corporate engagement with the Greater Illinois Chapter or contact Steve Schapiro, Vice President Corporate Engagement at sschapiro@alz.org, 847.779.6953 –

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Achieve your fitness goals and raise funds to fight Alzheimer’s

Thanks to the continued support of Charity Miles, you can track your mileage and raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association at the same time. Charity Miles is a free iPhone/Android app that enables users to raise funds simply by walking, running or biking. Walkers and runners raise up to 25 cents per mile, and bikers earn 10 per mile.

Charity Miles is a free iPhone/Android app that enables individuals to raise funds for charity simply by walking, running or biking. Launched over 3 years ago, the app quickly became a fitness favorite, and winner of several awards, including the SXSW People’s Choice Award and Women’s Running Magazine’s Best Overall App, and earned recognition by Men’s Fitness as one of their Game Changers of The Year.

Walkers and runners can earn up to 25¢ per mile, and bikers earn 10¢ per mile to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, all courtesy of Charity Miles’ corporate partners who sponsor the miles, such as Timex Sports, Humana and Lifeway Foods. The app’s more than 100,000 users log in, work out, and share that they’ve been active and raised funds for their favorite charity through social media. The Charity Miles app is available as a free download. For complete information on this charitable donation program, go to www.charitymiles.org.

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Our greatest asset in the fight to End Alzheimer’s is you

Dear Advocate,
While our fundraising efforts through Walk to End Alzheimer’s and other Alzheimer’s Association events are critical elements of our work, a partnership with elected officials at the federal and state levels is also important to achieving our vision – A World Without Alzheimer’s®. Advancing public policy objectives is integral to our goals of finding a cure and improving the lives of the Alzheimer’s communities we serve.
We want to learn more about our greatest asset in this process – you. To make sharing your knowledge and ideas as convenient as possible, we have created an online survey that will help us better gauge our organization’s strengths and enable us to effectively plan for future public policy discussions. As a valued member of our fight against Alzheimer’s disease, your participation in this survey and the honest feedback you provide will be of great importance.

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Man with Alzheimer’s disease calls caregiver wife his hero

Brian LeBlanc, a member of the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 National Early-Stage Advisory Group, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in 2014 at age 54. When he and his wife Shannon heard the diagnosis, Shannon took Brian’s hand and said, “I love you and you will not go through this alone. I will always be right here.” As Brian writes, Shannon has “beautifully kept her word.”

I first met my now-wife Shannon at work. I was her supervisor, and since she knew the responsibilities of the department inside and out, I leaned on her for assistance.

We started to get to know each other on a more personal level and then we started dating. She asked me out – I had no idea she liked me in that way! After dating for some time, she took me to Disney World and “proposed”; we had a beautiful wedding on the sands of Pensacola Beach by the Gulf of Mexico and rest is beautiful history.

Learning of my diagnosis sticks in my mind, but not due to feelings of sadness. I was focused on the beauty of my wife. After I asked my neurologist if I had Alzheimer’s and he said “yes,” I remember crying uncontrollably. All I could think of at that moment was what my mother was going through at the time. (Brian’s mother died of Alzheimer’s.) Shannon sensed that. She took my hand and said, “I love you and you will NOT go through this alone. I will always be right here.”

Before my diagnosis, we travelled a lot; short trips, cruises, trips to New Orleans (my hometown) or Fayetteville, NC (hers) and our favorite destination, Disney World. I used to tell her: “I’m your driver, you’re my navigator and we will go wherever you want to go.” We laughed a lot.

Sadly, the travelling had to stop due to finances. When both of us were working, we could basically do whatever we wanted. That changed when I was no longer able to work. Shannon became the sole financial support. We had to downsize in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle for our college-aged daughter and our son in high school. Shannon has had to adjust to my mood swings, my confusion, my argumentative moments (wanting to do the things I used to but can no longer do, like driving) and losing part of who I used to be.

She has done it all with no complaints and with only unconditional love. She is simply amazing. I’m not sure what I did to deserve her.

Shannon’s biggest strengths are consistency and loyalty. When she makes a commitment, whether it’s professional or personal, she sticks to it – and expects everyone to do the same. These qualities have allowed her to reach a position of great responsibility as an operations manager for a realty company. Her job is hard work and requires long hours but she does it in order to provide for her family. I admire her every day for her strength as a person.

Her personality is a mystery to most but not to me. She is loving, tender, somewhat adventurous, quiet and the funniest person I have ever known. She doesn’t know she is funny, but her dry sense of humor keeps me in stitches most of the time. She talks back to the TV, she figures out who did it on the ‘Who Dunnit’ shows long before the plot is revealed and she loves the ID network. We still laugh a lot, which is wonderful.

I want to thank her and all caregivers. Caregivers – I saw how you took care of my mother, my father, my grandfather and my wife’s grandmother. It takes a certain special type of person to be able to do what you do, but you do it day in and day out. You never complain, you always wear a smile and you’re always there, taking care of your own family or of other families you treat like your own. You are unbelievably wonderful people and for those who are unable to thank you themselves, I thank you!

We can honor caregivers and care partners by giving them something they probably need or deserve – a period of time, whether it’s a few hours or a few days, to have time to relax. This could be a spa treatment, a weekend at a hotel, a manicure/pedicure. Don’t be afraid to ask a caregiver what they want so that you can give them something you know they would enjoy.

I want my care partner Shannon to know that plain and simple, she is my hero.

Shannon, I hope you never feel that the things you do go unnoticed or unappreciated. The vows we took were for better or for worse, in good and bad times, in sickness and in health. You probably never thought it would go to this extreme. Just know, if the tables were turned, I would be right where you are now. I love you unconditionally and you show me that love every day. My only hope is that you can see and feel it in return.

About the Author: Brian LeBlanc was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in 2014 at age 54. Hecarries the APOE-e4 genotype, a genetic mutation which increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. His mother, father, and maternal grandfather have all died with symptoms of the disease. As a member of the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 National Early-Stage Advisory Group, Brian would like to raise awareness of the impact of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease and be a positive example for other newly diagnosed individuals. His mantra is, “I have Alzheimer’s, but it doesn’t have me!”

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