One in three senior adults dies each year due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016).Alzheimer’s is an incurable brain disease that causes a slow, progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Learning more about the disease and its warning signs is important because timely detection may offer benefits for people living with dementia and their families. For example, some memory loss or dementia-like symptoms may be reversible or caused by a treatable condition such as depression, drug interaction, thyroid problems, alcohol abuse or vitamin deficiencies. If memory loss is caused by Alzheimer’s disease, early detection can motivate individuals and families to start planning for the future. An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages live with Alzheimer’s disease. As many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). The cost of caring for those with dementia is estimated to total $236 billion in 2016, increasing to $1.1 trillion dollars by 2050.  Alzheimer’s is the 6^th leading cause of death in the state of Kentucky, with 69,000 adults age 65 and older having been diagnosed.  In 2015, 270,000 unpaid caregivers provided a total of 307,000,000 hours’ worth of unpaid care.  

“Brain Basics” is an evidenced-based program written and distributed by the National Alzheimer’s Association to help people learn the facts about Alzheimer’s disease and understand that memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Through collaboration with the Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association Chapter, FCS Extension and KEHA is able to share “Brain Basics” with FCS clientele and KEHA clubs and provide resources from the Alzheimer’s Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

To help bring awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, the #6^th killer in the state of Kentucky, the FCS Agent in Grayson County was trained by the Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association Chapter to teach Brain Basics.  18 participants joined the program.  Of the 14 participants who completed post lesson evaluations, 13 reported that they learned the most common types of irreversible dementia, 13 reported that they learned the primary risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, 14 reported that they learned how the disease progresses and 12 reported that they learned about the process of getting a diagnosis.  The majority of participants were best described as 3 living with dementia; 5 caregivers; 4 other; 2 no demographics. 

A valuable program, participants learned:

• AD can be slowed but not reversed

• Down’s Syndrome is connected to Alzheimer’s

• More info of just how AD starts and what to look for (symptoms)

• Need more in-depth info on how to care for loved one & how to handle certain situations