Not An Old Person’s Disease
A growing number of middle-aged people like Jim Mann, whose story was covered in the Province newspaper’s The New Face of Alzheimer’s, and who is being tracked by the Alzheimer Society of BC’s twitter, has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Jim’s story is teaching others that Alzheimer’s is not an old person’s disease.
When Jim was diagnosed at 58, he started journaling his experience with the disease to keep track of symptoms and changes for his doctor. This journal turned out to be even more resourceful than he though it would be. It’s being showcased as “#injimsshoes” on Alzheimer Society of BC’s Twitter.
Eye Opening Memos
Jim’s experience put into 140-character memos is eye-opening. He is a man barely at the age of retirement with Alzheimer’s, and his brain function is degenerating right before us, seen through posts such as:
- I have to go back to the drawer for something, to the point I feel like I should be getting dizzy I go back and forth so much.
- I returned to the office late afternoon and got the overwhelming feeling like I am losing it.
- Now that I am at the end of the day I am feeling out of sorts, anxious, scatterbrained, and knowingly absent-minded.
Alzheimer Society of B.C. CEO Jean Blake is interviewed saying, “The lengthy delay [in getting diagnosed and treatment] likely stems from a lack of awareness. This is a lingering stigma surrounding the disease, as well as the mistaken belief that the symptoms are a normal part of aging and that nothing can be done.”
Alzheimer’s Disease Affects More People
Although Alzheimer’s disease affects more people when they’re older. Our society is misunderstanding this to be an old person’s disease – it is not! Alzheimer’s disease can affect anyone at any age. This disease affects the brain – collapses brain function. And as much as we know, it can be caused by genetic heredity, a history of head trauma, high blood pressure to name a few.
Make sure you get a check-up if something out of the ordinary happens with your memory. Please pass on this blog entry to help resolve the myth around Alzheimer’s being an old-age disease.
Today, share a fun memory with your loved ones.❤️
Karen 🙂
Karen Tyrell, CPCA, CDCP
Dementia Consultant & Educator
Dementia Solutions
