Alzheimer's: A PSA justjudith style.

Alzheimer's affects more than 5 million people. One of those people is my father. It's a disease of tragedy -- the person you know and love turns into someone completely unrecognizable. My father was diagnosed eleven years ago this month. And it was in 2002 that he looked at me and had no real clue who I was. This is a tough disease for the people who have it and maybe tougher on those around them. And if the earth isn't burnt to a crisp in 20 years, be aware that Alzheimer's is out there, coming for someone you love. And the diseases that ravage Black folks like diabetes and high blood pressure make us more susceptible to Alzheimer's. THAT'S why we have to take this seriously.

* African-Americans may have a higher risk for diabetes,*
a risk factor for Alzheimer's and vascular dementia
* High blood pressure is more common among African-Americans*
* A person with high blood pressure or high cholesterol
may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's
* African-Americans have a higher rate of vascular dementia*
* The number of African-Americans entering the age of Alzheimer risk (age 65 or older) is expected to more than double to 6.9 million by 2030.

Here are my thoughts on the disease. Enjoy.