Alzheimer’s Topic of Lunch and Learn at Harris Hospital

NEWPORT, Ark. (May 4, 2010) - Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive and degenerative disease, which means that it gets worse over time. Currently, it is estimated that as many as 5.2 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease. This number is expected to grow over the next 50 years as the population ages and life span increases.

When someone has Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities, and connections between nerve cells are disrupted. There are also lower levels of some of the chemicals in the brain that carry messages back and forth between nerve cells. This affects memory, judgment, and thinking, which in turn may hinder a person's ability to handle day-to-day activities.

Trough research, we are learning more about how Alzheimer's affects the brain. We do not yet know how to prevent or cure it, but we do know how to treat its symptoms. If you would like to learn more about this disease, Harris Hospital’s Senior Circle Program will be sponsoring a Lunch-n-Learn at noon on Friday, May 14, 2010, in the community room. The program will be presented by Sarah Wright, Senior Care Director. Since the space is limited, please call Margaret Goodman at 870-512-3030 to RSVP.