One of the non-profit charities that Michael Canzian donates to is the Alzheimer’s Association. While he donates to other organizations, he highly supports the cause of this non-profit given that millions of people are affected by this disease. Through his donations, he is able to support various initiatives such as advanced research for finding the cure for Alzheimer’s and allocating proper funds for affected elders and families. It may be the case that some who consider donations may think that their contributions would not matter or be significant enough to make an impact, and therefore often choose not to donate at all. However, the fact remains that every dollar donation, or the donation of one’s time, is always beneficial and helpful to any non-profit in meetings its goals and objectives. The only way to battle a progressive disease is through progressive acts of love and contribution.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that affects memory and thinking skills. It usually starts with mild memory loss until it leads to the loss of ability to carry a conversation, accomplish simple daily tasks, and respond to the environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 years or older had Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. It has also been identified as one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 50 million people have dementia worldwide—most of which come from low- to middle-income countries. They also emphasized that an increase of 10 million cases occurs every year. While this disease has been discovered since 1906, there is still no cure for it—however, significant progress can already be seen from the several treatments that have been tested and developed in recent years.
Old age is the best-known risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s. Family history and genetics have also been observed as contributing factors to this disease, but can be managed through a healthy lifestyle. This simply means that as people age, the possibility of acquiring this disease may be unavoidable. Given that seniors are most affected by Alzheimer’s, it is important to know how to identify the differences between the disease and common age-related changes. For instance, an elder with Alzheimer’s disease may have poor judgment and decision-making skills while an elder going through an age-related change may commit bad decisions once in a while. Another example is losing track of dates and seasons versus forgetting the date, but then remembering it later.
Being proactive in detecting the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease is crucial in order to regulate its symptoms and alleviate its progression. Aside from the common memory loss symptoms, the CDC shared the following warning signs that should be looked out for:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in a familiar place or repeating questions.
- Trouble handling money and paying bills.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
- Changes in mood, personality, or behavior.
Once these have been detected, a visit to the doctor is a must. Early diagnosis will give the opportunity to consider financial planning, develop advance directives, enroll in clinical trials, and anticipate care needs.
In general, elders are going through a difficult time processing their thoughts and memories, therefore, knowing how to care for them during this period is just as pivotal. It may be challenging to handle their varying behavior, but it remains a duty and responsibility to do so. According to Medical News Today, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be done by learning about the disease, creating a routine, planning activities, promoting ongoing communication, helping them eat a nutritious diet, boosting their self-esteem, keeping them safe, helping them keep their animal companion, and taking courses or reading guides. If family members are unable to tend to their elders, a caregiver is necessary as constant monitoring is important with the progression of Alzheimer’s. Of course, the best way to care for seniors is by being there for them and giving them the assurance that they are being looked out for by their loved ones—their sensitivity and vulnerability to their health and environment only increase day by day but with their loved ones beside them, they may be able to gain the strength they need in getting through difficult and confusing times.
Becoming a part of the Alzheimer’s Association can be achieved by making a donation, participating in an event, and advocating for public policies that increase critical research funding and support. The organization also offers other ways to give such as donating to their giving societies, participating in workplace giving, having a planned giving, donating stocks, donating a car, giving a grant from donor-advised funds, and making a tribute page for loved ones. By supporting their initiative or other similar non-profits, chances for finding the ultimate cure for Alzheimer’s through advanced research and effective new treatments will be within reach. Small acts of help are also just as valuable given that they already make a difference for those affected with Alzheimer’s and their family.