More than four

million Americans, including about 180,000 Georgians suffer from Alzheimer's

disease.

Not only does

the disease affect the individual sufferer, but family care givers, most

often elderly spouses, often become ill and may even die from the stresses

of 24-hour-a-day long-term care of the sufferer.

With more than

76 million baby boomers currently, the expectation is that without a cure

more than 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer's by the year 2050.

One-half of those 85 or older have Alzheimer's, a disease that most commonly

affects those over the age of 65.

According to

Dr. Paul Colon, founder of Governor's Glen Memory Impaired Community in

Forest Park, the annual cost of caring for those who suffer from Alzheimer's

exceeds $100 billion a year. Colon was the key speaker at the 2001 Southern

Crescent Memory Walk kickoff last week at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference

Center.

A group of

more than 40 local business leaders, volunteers and supporters met for

breakfast to learn a little more about the affects of Alzheimer's disease

and what they could do to help in raising money to support the fight against

the disease.

Colon related

his experiences and what he had learned during the six years he cared

for his mother before her death from the disease. He wove facts about

the devastating disease among the personal story of her decline.

Stressing the

importance of proper nutrition in the treatment and prevention of the

disease, he noted that those with high fat and high cholesterol diets

have a higher incidence of developing Alzheimer's.

He also stated

that Alzheimer's is not a "normal part of aging." Brain cells

are destroyed resulting in a decline of mental functions that affect memory,

thinking, language and behavior. It is still not known why the chemical

and structural changes in brain tissue occur.

Although there

is not a cure for the disease, early diagnosis can slow and prevent some

of the progress of dementia and other symptoms. Probable diagnosis is

made through a combination of memory testing, blood work, brain scans

and other testing. Currently diagnosis of the disease can only be made

with complete certainty after death by examining the brain.

There are two

forms of Alzheimer's sporadic and genetic. Those with genetic Alzheimer's

develop the disease earlier and decline faster.

Researchers

have identified a gene that is responsible for some forms of Alzheimer's.

Some of the

symptoms of Alzheimer's include forgetfulness and memory loss, disorientation,

confusion, personality and emotional changes, a loss of the ability to

talk, move or do any self-care. Colon said the symptoms vary from person

to person and change as the disease progresses.

Treatment of

the non-curable disease focuses on control of related illnesses, nutrition,

regular exercise, environmental changes, appropriate activities and medication.

Socialization is an important key in combating the symptoms of the disease

Colon mentioned, referring to the major improvements his mother made when

placed in a rehab center. Per an earlier request to her son not to be

placed in a nursing home, Colon cared for his mother at home utilizing

Alzheimer's Day-Care, nurses and family. When she broke her hip and was

recuperating in a rehabilitation center, she began talking, smiling and

interacting again.

Former Mayor

Fred Brown and Iola Snow are cochairing the 2001 Southern Crescent Memory

Walk. The walk has already garnered the support of some local businesses.

Coweta-Fayette EMC donated $10,000 to the organization for the second

year and Gold's Gyms of Fayette County have again volunteered to lead

the morning warm-up exercises, will be a sponsor and have committed to

a sponsorship. Additionally they have volunteered the use of their meeting

room and outdoor lagoon pool for the team captain's kickoff rally July

17 and a special thank-you party for sponsors. Dogwood Forest and Ashley

Glen Assisted Living are cosponsoring the team captain's kickoff.

Lyn Amos, Home

Source Realtors and Tony Armstrong will cochair the Team Walk Committee.

According to Amos, the response has been good thus far. Home Source Realtors,

Ashley Glen Assisted Living, Dogwood Forest, Gold's Gym, Coweta-Fayette

EMC, World Gym, Merrill Lynch and the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center

have signed up to sponsor a team. Home Source Realtors plans to issue

a challenge to other Realtors to join in the walk.

The purpose

of the walk, which involves Fayette, Coweta, and Clayton counties, is

to raise money for research, counseling, financial assistance, support

groups and educational programs for those coping with the disease. A portion

of the money is also used to help make people aware of the disease.

Last year 61

teams participated in the first walk to raise $73,185. The Memory Walk

will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater.

Registration for the 5k Walk will begin at 8 a.m.; runners will take off

at 9:15 a.m. with walkers right behind them at 9:30 a.m.

The Team Captain

Kick-Off Rally, sponsored by Dogwood Forest, Ashley Glen and Gold's Gym,

will be held at Gold's Gym Peachtree City East at 6 p.m. July 17. The

Gym is located on Hwy. 54 near Publix and Ace Hardware. Those interested

in forming a team should contact Lyn Amos (770-487-9722 or 770-487-0989)

or Tony Armstrong (678-296-0872).

For sponsorship

or other information, Fred Brown, 770-487-8397 or Iola Snow, 770-486-6991.

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