Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States currently develops Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable brain disease that causes a slow, progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, today, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages live with the disease; 2/3 of whom are women (73,000 in KY; 86,00 by 2025). By 2050, the number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million and is expected to cost the nation as much as $1.1 trillion (up from $290 billion in 2019). Learning more about the disease and its warning signs is important because timely detection may offer benefits for people living with dementia and for their families, who provide an estimated 18.5 billion hours of care, which is valued at nearly $234 billion (In KY: 273,000 dementia caregivers provide an estimated 172 million hours of care, valued at $3,936 million). 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 seek medical attention and to start planning for the future. Early and accurate diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in medial and care costs. “These projections suggest that a treatment that prevents, cures or slows the progression of the disease could result in substantial savings to the U.S. health care system” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019).   

“Know the 10 Warning Signs” is an evidenced-based program written and distributed by the Alzheimer’s Association. Through collaboration with the Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Alzheimer’s Association Chapter, FCS Extension and KEHA is able to share the 10 Warning Signs and provide communities with 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 the importance of early detection of 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 10 Warning Signs.  Fifteen (15) participants attended the program and completed post lesson evaluations. Of these, 100% reported that the program was worth their time and effort and 100% reported that it taught them to recognize common warning signs associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia.  14 people reported learning how to recognize the difference between typical age-related cognitive decline and disease; 13 people reported learning tips about how to approach someone about memory concerns; 15 people reported learning about the importance of early detection; 15 people reported understanding the benefits of early diagnosis; and 14 people reported that this program contributed to their confidence in managing one’s current situation.  The average participant was a white female, ranging in age from 65-74. One participant was a current caregiver, one was currently living with dementia and 4 were concerned spouses or adult children.   

A valuable program, participants learned:

·The value in early diagnosis

·Learned about the various types of dementia

·About various resources

·Alzheimer’s causes problems with vision