What is Alzheimer's and What Can We Do To Help?

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. 

• Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. 
• Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
• Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.  

Source: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

This year my friend and I took over a great cause; the Race to Remember. It is a barrel race that we produce to raise funds for Alzheimer's research at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The event is held in Albert Lea, MN in June, Alzheimer's month. This year we raised $6,000 between the racing entries, pledges and silent auction. We are hoping to make it even bigger and better next year!

Here is our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Race2Remember/