One in three senior adults dies each year due to Alzheimer's disease or 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 6th 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, Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension and Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) are able to share "Brain Basics" with FCS clientele and KEHA members 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 #6th killer in the state of Kentucky, the FCS agent in Marshall County was trained to teach Brain Basics. Twenty-one participants participated in the program and completed post-lesson evaluations. 100% of participants now know the most common types of irreversible dementia and the primary risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. They also know how the disease progresses, and the process of getting a diagnosis. The majority of participants were best described as caregivers, relatives or friends of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to the Brain Basics program, participants sewed "fidget mats" for local Alzheimer's patients in Marshall County. Staff and volunteers from the local Memory Care Unit and Veterans Auxiliary made mats and delivered them to families impacted by this disease. 

A valuable program, participants commented they are now better equipped to seek professional help and advice related to support and treatment of those impacted by Alzheimer's or a related dementia.