Poetry: Alzheimer's Fear
Alzheimer's Fear
Into the night they found me
in a strange and lonely town.
My memory had escaped me
I was wandering all around.
I was cold and hungry
I was scared and alone.
Although I kept on walking
My legs could not find my home.
The fear I felt inside of me
Not knowing where I am.
No memory to guide me
No thought of where to go.
I see my reflection in a store window
But do not know my name.
The anxiety I begin to feel
Oh God, am I insane?
The Facts
Alzheimer's Disease is a disease that causes plagues and tangles in the neurons in the brain to form. It is classified as a type of Dementia. Not all individuals with Dementia develop the disease. It is a progressive disease that overtime worsens. The disease affects the following;
- Memory
- Thinking
- Language Skills
- Behavior
The only way to diagnose Alzheimer's is through a brain autopsy. The autopsy will show that plagues and tangles have formed webs in the brain affecting the neurotransmitters.
According to the National Alzheimer's Association the disease affects 5.2 million people of all ages. 200,000 under the age of 65. A third of individuals age 85 and older. www.alz.org
There are seven stages of the disease as it progresses slowly.
- Stage 1 - No Impairment
- Stage 2 - Very Mild Decline
- Stage 3 - Mild Decline
- Stage 4 - Moderate Decline
- Stage 5 - Moderately Severe Decline
- Stage 6 - Severe Decline
- Stage 7 - Very Severe Decline
If you notice any decline in you or your loved one, please contact your doctor. To read more about Alzheimer's Disease contact the National Alzheimer's Association or go to one of the websites in this article.
