This disease scares me
I received dozens of emails this week from people who saw my Sunday column about a friend's mother who died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Every person who emailed me had a personal connection to this disease, and every story was a personal tragedy. This is a terrible disease that afflicts a lot more people than I had realized.
It slowly takes your mind, and affects every relationship you have. Finally, you don't know your family and friends. You don't even know yourself. There are no happy endings. That's why it's scary.
The Alzheimer's Association has a lot of helpful information on the disease. Check it out here.
The Alzheimer's Association says family members also need support -- not just the patients. Family members are under tremendous pressure, and they may not even realize it. The disease affects everyone's quality of life.