Alzheimer's disease is one of the most feared diseases among older adults, and this fear can harm someone by delaying diagnosis, according to Carol Steinberg, executive vice president of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
"Not all memory concerns are Alzheimer's disease. Some memory problems are indicators of reversible conditions like depression, thyroid problems or vitamin deficiency," Steinberg said. "Other memory problems do result from irreversible conditions like Alzheimer's disease. That's why it's critical to find out what's really going on."
A memory screening, whether done at a health care professional's office or at a screening site on National Memory Screening Day, is a first step toward proper diagnosis, Steinberg said.
This year, National Memory Screening Day is Nov. 13, but many groups will hold events on other dates in November, which is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Steinberg said.
Ventura County venues include the SCAN Senior Resource Center in Ventura, Aegis of Ventura and Senior Concerns of Thousand Oaks. More sites are listed at http:// www.nationalmemory screening.org.
"Think of a memory screening like a quiz you would take in school," Steinberg said. A qualified health care professional such as a nurse or a social worker will give a person a series of questions and tasks to assess the person's memory.
The face-to-face test takes about five to 10 minutes, and the screener will let the person know the results immediately.
"The results do not represent a diagnosis but indicate whether someone should follow up with their physician for a full evaluation," Steinberg said.
Senior Concerns of Thousand Oaks will offer free memory screenings, as well as a presentation by Dr. Lisa Hayden, a clinical research psychologist, on "Alzheimer's and Related Diseases: A Family Education Program." Additionally, Tee Barr will present "Train Your Brain and Sharpen Your Memory."
"The No. 1 myth is that Alzheimer's disease or other memory-related conditions are a normal part of aging," said Maureen Symonds, director of programs at Senior Concerns. "The truth is that people are living to greater age, and therefore more people will develop Alzheimer's and other memory-related conditions along with co-morbid conditions such as heart disease."
The latest statistics show that 50 percent of people older than 85 will develop Alzheimer's disease or some form of dementia, Symonds added.
"The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner drugs which are available now will help stave off the progression," Symonds said.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America suggests memory screenings for anyone with memory concerns, a family history of Alzheimer's disease or interest in checking memory now for future comparison, Steinberg said.
"Screening sites tend to see people 65 or older, but people in their 30s, 40s and 50s can also have memory problems that result from other medical conditions or young-onset Alzheimer's disease, a rare form of the disease with symptoms that appear before age 60," Steinberg said.
"While there is no cure right now for Alzheimer's disease, there are ways to improve quality of life," Steinberg said. "Available medications may help slow progression of symptoms and behavioral interventions can help with daily living, giving people more time with better quality of life."
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IF YOU GO
What: Free memory screenings
When and where: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at SCAN Senior Resource Center, 1001 Partridge Drive, Suite 200 in Ventura; 658-2182 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at Aegis of Ventura, 4964 Telegraph Road; 650-1114 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Senior Concerns of Thousand Oaks, 401 Hodencamp Road; 497-0159, ext. 230