When Memories Disappear
Understanding and Dealing with Alzheimer's Disease

Since Jestene McCord's Alzheimer's disease was caught early, she has been an active participant in the planning for her future.
Photo: The Alzheimer's Association

Early Alzheimer's: "Stay Active!"

Jestene McCord suspected she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) even before being diagnosed. And she had no intention of sitting still for it.

For most of her career as a geriatric nurse and nurse administrator in Milwaukee, Jestene had cared for the elderly. Many of them had Alzheimer's disease. She didn't let those patients sit still for it, either. "I always believed—and taught my staff—you use it, or you lose it. So, I took my Alzheimer's patients places. I never let them sit around and feel sorry for themselves."

It was in 2008 that the 73-year-old retiree began noticing a few changes in her own life. "I needed more time and energy to get things done," she says. "I would have to put forth more energy to do something." She had also watched and helped as her grandmother, and then her mother, both went through Alzheimer's. She knew what to look for.

Jestene immediately consulted a specialist, and the doctor confirmed she was in the early stages of AD. Two years later, she's as active as ever. She stays socially engaged with her friends and keeps her two sons aware of everything going on and how she's doing. She's a volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association, and was chosen to be one of 10 members of an Early-Stage Advisory Group.

"I have a Palm Pilot, and everything is on the computer," she says. "All that helps, and I feel more comfortable having that." She and four of her senior friends even host an ongoing weekly radio talk show.

Because she had gone directly to a specialist when she suspected AD, she saved precious time. Alzheimer's experts say that many general practitioners can take from six months to two years to diagnose AD. Since early detection means that the patient can contribute to the conversation about his or her own treatment, delays in diagnosis can prevent that.

"So many family members are embarrassed and try to get their loved ones hidden away; they don't want anyone to know that mom or grandpa forgets," says Jestene. "There's nothing to be ashamed of; it doesn't happen because you're a lesser person. Stay as active as you can, and get a good support system."

Free Guide for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges, as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Research has shown that caregivers themselves often are at risk for depression and illness if they don't receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has created the Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease guide for people who care for family members or others with Alzheimer's disease at home. The guide is meant to help caregivers learn about and cope with the many challenges of AD.

For copies of this book, contact the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, a service of the National Institute on Aging; Phone: 1-800-438-4380; www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers