With more Americans living well into their 70s, 80s, and 90s, developing strategies to preserve cognitive and emotional health as we grow older is a major public health goal.

— Richard J. Hodes, M.D., Director of National Institute on Aging

Current research indicates that new neurons develop in the adult brain—particularly in a region called the hippocampus—which is involved in learning and memory.

— Scientific American, 2009

Alzheimer’s disease is projected to afflict 10 million Americans from the Baby Boomer generation.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association:

As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer's and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older.

Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death.

The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid, and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease | A special thank you is extended to Rebecca Chase and her senior health class at Afterskoolkids.org for submitting this resource to us while working on their Alzheimer's research project.

National Alzheimer’s Association: http://www.alz.org

Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® Program - a nationwide identification, support, and enrollment program. Provides assistance when someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One phone call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver. http://www.alz.org/dayton/6178_helping.asp#Safe

Miami Valley Alzheimer’s Association: www.alzdayton.org

Brain Tour: http://www.alz.org/brain/01.asp

Myths About Alzheimer’s http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_myths_about_alzheimers.asp

Alzheimer’s Disease: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alzheimers_disease.asp

The Ten Signs of Alzheimer’s: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_know_the_10_signs.asp

Alzheimer’s Related Diseases Including Dementias: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_related_diseases.asp

Parkinson’s Disease: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_parkinsons_disease.asp

Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation http://www.alzheimersprevention.org/index.html