Episode 150 of the Check Your Six podcast talked about something pretty close to home for me, dealing with Alzheimers and dementia. My father was diagnosed back in the 70's with Alzheimers before it was as well known or researched as it has been over the last nearly 50 years. Denise Ward, the Florida Region Strategy and Program Development director for the national Alzheimer's Association, stopped by the studio to talk about the subject matter of Alzheimer's and dementia. We talked about some of the symptoms, what to look for in our own self analysis or in friends or family members when it comes to this affliction. She talked about the importance of sharing your stories and experiences, the willingness to open up about family members that are suffering with Alzheimer's and looking at clinical trials as a way to explore options for treatment. Also referenced studies that are looking at the potential for the connection with diabetes and perhaps identifying it as Diabetes 3 to help further understand how our diet may be impacting the condition as well. There are things that I can understand how to fight when it comes to conditions like cancer but Alzheimer's is different. Watching someone you have loved and admired for their strength and wisdom, be reduced to someone that is lost and perhaps angry because they can't understand what is happening is much harder. You can find out more about what the do at their website, https://www.alz.org/. There is hope, but it will take all of us to make it happen. You can also contact Denise at [email protected] if you would like to contact her directly.

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