Learn warning signs of Alzheimer’s at free workshops

The Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will host two free workshops at the Maricopa Public Library.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the only one of the top 10 diseases that people die from that has no way to prevent it and no cure and no way to slow it down,” Regional Director Cynthia Vargo said.

She said in Arizona there are 130,000 diagnosed cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The total number is expected to be 200,000 by 2025.

Abby Maestas, a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, said the group wants to start providing more services in Maricopa.

The topic of the 10-11:30 a.m. workshop on Jan. 16 is “Memory Loss and the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Content includes 10 warning signs and basic information about memory loss.

Feb. 20 is a Memory Loss Mini Conference for Caregivers from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It will cover the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, challenging behaviors and effective communication, as well as legal and financial planning.

Nationwide, one of every nine people age 65 or older will develop Alzheimer’s, according to the association’s data. That grows to one out of every two age 85 or older. A rarer version called younger onset develops in people in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

“Of the 4.5 million nationwide diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, at least half a million have younger onset,” Vargo said. “And oftentimes they still have young children at home. So it is very difficult.”

She said it is important to identify, because there are medications that can boost memory if the disease is diagnosed early enough.