A Ride to Remember
Members of the local team that rode in the Ride to Remember fundraiser last year, left to right: Jane Heath, Janet Brand, Teresa Webster, Renita Boan, Cynthia Kolb, and Andy Langston.
Photo courtesy of Andy Langston
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The statistics on Alzheimer’s are hard to fathom. One of every three families will have to deal with Alzheimer’s. One of every nine people age 65 or older has Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Nearly 81,000 people in S.C. are living with Alzheimer’s.
This weekend, 300 cyclists will ride across South Carolina to fight Alzheimer’s and to promote the services of the S.C. Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, including seven riders from Darlington, Dillon, and Florence counties.
Andy “You can help support the S.C. Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association by eating at the Darlington or Hartsville KFC restaurants the week of July 10-17. A one-dollar donation will be made for each 8-piece meal purchase.”
Jay Fulmer, the owner of the two local KFC restaurants has generously agreed to partner on the event with the cyclists.
“Jay has been so supportive,” said Langston. “And we are very fortunate to also have the support of Don Wilson, who is supporting my team, Team Lois. Wally Bishop is sponsoring Team Vive.”
This is the fourth year that Andy has been riding in this particular race, which transverses the state from July 15 – 17th for up to 252 miles:
• July 15: Simpsonville to Newberry for 64 miles
• July 16: Newberry to Orangeburg, 89 miles
• July 17: Orangeburg to Charleston, 99 miles
“Yes, we know it’ll be hot,” continued Andy. “But it is worth it to know how much awareness we will share about the disease, and the funds we help to raise for it. It’s amazing how many people this has affected, it is safe to say nearly all families have had someone with it.”
Although Andy does not have a family member with the disease, he has learned so much about it through his four years of the rides that he frequently shares information with others he meets and on social media.
“One of the things that the S.C. Chapter offers are funds for caregivers to receive a break should they want to attend a wedding or a much needed break,” he said. “I hope that others learn more about the organization and share the programs available to them.”
To assist the riders, you may purchase the KFC meal at the Darlington KFC on 979 S. Gov. Williams Highway and the Hartsville KFC located at 432 Hartsville Crossing Boulevard.
Additional donations can be made at aridetoremember.org.
24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
Receive assistance and information on support groups, caregiver respite, early stage dementia programs, care consultation, information and referral, community education, and more.
Web resources: vist alz.org/SC for more information.
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
GET CHECKED — EARLY DETECTION MATTERS
If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4. Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps:
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8. Decreased or poor judgment:
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities:
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
What to do if you notice these signs:
If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
With early detection, you can: Get the maximum benefit from available treatments – You can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer. You may also increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research.
