Hope & Help for Alzheimer’s in Rhode Island
Did you know that by 2050, it’s estimated that 14 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s Disease?
And that here in Rhode Island, more than 23,000 people are currently living with the disease, cared for by more than 53,000 friends and family members?
Alzheimer’s is a frightening diagnosis, and the challenge it poses to society seems insurmountable. But you may be encouraged to know that those in the trenches say that we’re actually in the “golden age” of Alzheimer’s research.
At a recent panel discussion entitled “Alzheimer’s Disease: Finding Hope Through Research” held in Cranston, Terry Fogerty, a community outreach coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital, said there’s reason to be optimistic:
“There has never been this breadth and depth [of research], there’s never been this [level of] collaboration and sharing of information, and we invite you all to consider being what we call affectionately ‘citizen scientists’ and joining us in this fight to end this disease.”
Another encouraging development: the makers of the drug aducanumab are now seeking FDA approval. In trials, patients “experienced significant benefits on measures of cognition and function, including memory, orientation and language,” the manufacturer said.
Clinical Trials & Support Groups
The Rhode Island Mood and Memory Research Institute (RIMMRI) is located in East Providence and offers many services that Rhode Islanders affected by Alzheimer’s should be aware of. RIMMRI is involved with numerous clinical trials to develop new medications for the disease. Visit their homepage for more information.
RIMMRI also offers free memory screening as well as a monthly caregiver support group, which “recent participants from our Alzheimer’s clinical trials and anyone looking for information on caring for your loved ones who suffer from this disease, memory loss or other forms of dementia are encouraged to attend.” Follow RIMMRI on Facebook for more events and announcements.
Knowing the Signs
Do you know the warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease? Recent presentations on this topic were well-received in Westerly and Richmond. Participants learned the difference between dementia and normal changes that come with aging, what role genetics and lifestyle factors may play, and what people should do if they think they’re having symptoms of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
For more details on the 10 warning signs (including how they differ from normal aging changes) and additional resources on getting checked and diagnosed, visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs.