Alzheimer’s disease … What’s it all about ? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder which impairs memory and the ability to learn, make decisions, communicate, and carry out activities of daily living.

No one really knows what causes Alzheimer’s but certain things can increase someones risk of developing the disease for example being over sixty five and having a family member with Alzheimer’s. Other contributing risk factors can be a serious head injury or stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol.

A new study by Dr. Kenneth Rockwood professor of medicine at DalhousieUniversity, Halifax wrote “nontraditional risk factors combine to predict Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia ” reports that since age is a major risk factor identifying people who “ age badly” developing one ailment after another such as vision and hearing, loose dentures, sinus congestion , arthritis, morning cough and skin problems, can be early signs leading to dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease can be treated with medication prescribed by your health care provider that helps slow down the development of symptoms but as of yet no cure has been found for the disease. Dr. Rockwood’s advice ? “ Don’t panic over one problem.” Stay fit! As much as bad things can add up, so can the good! Studies show that walking as little as thirty minutes a day, three days a week “dramatically attenuated” the risk factor in his study of Alzheimer’s dementia.

So care givers get out those sneakers and walk with your loved ones regularly, it can make all of us feel better!

This month we are celebrating Walk Across Sampson County. So this can be the perfect opportunity to begin or continue enjoying a good family lifestyle together and it’s free! Walk across Sampson County Day will be celebrated on Saturday Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. until noon at three locations : Royal Lane Park, Garland Park and Western District Park Roseboro. All are welcome, so come join the fun and receive water bottles for walks of two miles or more and ribbons for everyone who walks!

Your local Alzheimer’s support agency Sampson County Department of Aging offers support group meetings for Family care givers of Alzheimer’s clients. For more information call the Department of Aging at 592-4653. Another service available is the Adult Day Health Care Center at 210 Fisher Drive in Clinton. The program offers a day care program to meet the needs of older adults. The program is open daily from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. The programs offers a fully trained staff of seven including an RN, LPN,CNA Med.Tech, all addressing your loved ones health care needs. For more information call Sampson County Adult Day Health Care Center @ 592-7787.