New study shows growing Alzheimer problem in the DMV
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Officials said that there is a growing issue in the DMV — Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s causes loss of memory and mainly affects those who are over the age of 65. It affects African Americans at a higher rate than any other race in the nation, especially women.
The Alzheimer’s Association published data showing an alarming trend. Prince George’s County has the 4th highest Alzheimer’s rate in the entire country, according to data from 2020.
While this information is alarming, Alzheimer’s Association Treasurer Dean Brenner said it’s not just this one county.
“If the District of Columbia were a state, D.C. would have the most prevalence of Alzheimer’s on a percentage basis in the entire country,” Brenner stated. “We estimate that about 17% of the people over age 65 have Alzheimer’s.”
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Brenner also said that the stigma around Alzheimer’s just being memory loss for older residents is not true.
“Alzheimer’s is everywhere in our community. It’s the person in the supermarket. It’s someone you work with. It’s an aunt, it’s an uncle, it’s a grandparent,” he said.
Brenner had his own personal experience with Alzheimer’s in his family when his own mother developed the disease. After caring for her, he decided to dedicate his work toward advancing research on it.
He recalled the neurologist looking at him and saying there was nothing that could be done, but now there’s at least movement in the right direction.
“There are a whole range of trials that we can do. There are things that can be done for people,” he said.
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Brenner and the Association both recommend exercise and a healthy lifestyle to combat Alzheimer’s as much as possible. He also said if you or a loved one are showing signs to contact someone immediately and get help
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