It’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and a Decatur organization is helping families get through it. The Mental Health Association hosted its annual Alzheimer’s Conference Tuesday.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5.7 million Americans. Tuesday’s conference was to educate caregivers and the community about the disease.
Every 65 seconds someone is diagnosed Alzheimer’s. Belinda Miller’s mother was diagnosed six years ago.
“She’s living in the past more, so she talks about the past more then she talks about the present and the future. So that’s kind of hard for us,” said caregiver Belinda Miller
Miller came to the Lucy and John Caddell Alzheimer’s Conference Tuesday, to learn more about the disease, not only to help her mother but to educate herself as a social worker.
“With more education I’m able to tell people, that it’s brain related, that the people can’t help it. That we have to love them where they are. So it helps me share with other individuals that’s experiencing this and with the people that I work for, the aids in the nursing home,” said Miller.
That’s what the conference is all about. Raising awareness and challenging the stigma that surrounds dementia.
“People don’t want to be perceived as crazy and it’s actually just the brain itself is actually dying. It works like any other disease that affects any other organ. These individuals need people that are patient and educated to help them live the best life they can live,” said Angie Speegle, the Mental Health Association’s program director.
The Alzheimer’s Conference provides families searching for information with the resources they need.
“Everything from assisted-living to NORCOG, to community programs. We offer support group and education for families one on one,” Speegle added.
Proceeds from the conference today will go to the Mental Health Association’s Alzheimer’s program.
