Alzheimer's experts encourage early planning

As November approaches, and with it National Alzheimer’s Awareness month, local memory-care groups urge preparedness when a loved one is afflicted by the disease. 

Jennifer Crowley, a registered nurse who works at Eagleview West as a life-care planning expert, is working to give memory screenings to Flathead County’s seniors.

She’ll be available at today’s senior health and wellness screenings event from noon to 2 p.m. at the Kalispell Senior Center.

“Alzheimer’s can be financially and emotionally devastating,” Crowley said. “I really want to encourage people to get things organized. Some loved ones have a hard time when their family member doesn’t recognize them anymore.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, more than five million Americans are living with the disease, with 26 million in the world. One in three seniors dies with the disease or some other form of dementia. In 2010, Alzheimer’s disease was the sixth leading cause of death, with 83,494 fatalities. By 2050, it is projected one in 85 people worldwide will suffer from the disease.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, which causes the deterioration of memory and loss of motor functions and eventually will result in death.

Despite the bleak prognosis, Crowley said there is hope. New pharmaceutical drugs are able to slow the inexorable tide of time.

“They are able to delay the progression of the disease,” she said. “They can’t reverse the effects, but it can plateau the disease for a longer period.”

While Alzheimer’s is hereditary, Crowley said the biggest factor for having the disease is age. Memory loss is part of aging, she said, but the severity of different types of dementia (a family of disease to which Alzheimer’s belongs) can vary wildly.

“It goes beyond misplacing your keys,” she said. “It can be forgetting memorable events, like forgetting your daughter’s birthday or your anniversary. Personality changes can be a big factor in it as well.”

Forgetting loved ones is scary, so many who suffer from the disease can become irritable and withdraw from social interactions. Being social is one thing that can engage the brain and help stave off the rise of dementia. 

Many younger people who begin to exhibit signs of memory loss can sometimes attribute that to depression, which can mimic symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s, Crowley said. 

Besides the screening at the Kalispell Senior Center, Crowley has partnered with Prestige Care Assisted Living at Kalispell to have another memory screening day Nov. 19. The time is opportune for both parties, as Prestige plans to open a new memory-loss center in the spring.

“Expressions,” the name of the center, will have 20 beds for seniors dealing with the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss issues.

Patty Cordell, executive director at Prestige, said the time was right for the expansion.

“As the population keeps aging we are seeing a rise in the number of cases,” she said. “It is very difficult to manage someone with memory loss at home. It is what we probably receive the most calls for.”

Crowley said that full-time care centers like the one opening at Prestige can be costly. Her job is to help prepare people for the reality of the situation they face. This can be offering financial advice or helping clients deal with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

“I’m a huge advocate of planning ahead,” Crowley said. “We see the demand (for places like Expressions) and it’s really disturbing. People don’t prepare for that aspect, it can be a huge stressor for people and for the adult children.”

The Nov. 19 event at 125 Glenwood Drive in Kalispell will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. and will allow Crowley to give a simple five-minute test to determine if someone is having memory issues. 

Although she does not diagnose, she is able to identify problems and allow the patient to alert their provider. She held the event the last two years at Syke’s Grocery and Market, but the event has grown too big for that location.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.