It is estimated that every 72 seconds, an individual develops Alzheimer's disease, and in the U.S., it is currently the seventh leading cause of death. But according to the national Alzheimer's Association, the risk of developing the debilitating disorder can be reduced by staying mentally active -- joining a book club, playing chess or doing crossword puzzles -- and performing physical exercise, such as running or walking.

In an effort to help those individuals coping with Alzheimer's disease, walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the seventh annual Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, which will begin 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Edisto Memorial Gardens. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

The Memory Walk is the Alzheimer's Association's national signature event, and residents of Orangeburg and surrounding counties are invited to participate to raise funds for and awareness of Alzheimer's disease in the area.

"There are over 60,000 people in South Carolina that have Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, and it's growing every day," said Adelle Stanley, Midlands area program director for the Alzheimer's Association -- South Carolina Chapter. She said that number is estimated to increase to 125,190 by the year 2025.

In Orangeburg County, approximately 1,611 people have Alzheimer's, Stanley said. She said as the

population continues to age, the number of people with the disease is expected to triple over the next few decades.

Stanley said Alzheimer's is more prevalent among South Carolina's black population, and she wants to develop programs and seminars to inform residents about the trend. She said she conducts free programs and seminars in the area on topics such as "How to Take Care of your Brain" and "Welcome to My World," which helps long-term care facility workers understand what Alzheimer's patients are going through.

Proceeds from the Memory Walk will go to those types of programs as well as the Alzheimer's Association's 24-hour hotline, Web site, newspaper, care consultation, research and development, Stanley said.

In 2006, the walk surpassed its goal of $15,000. This year's goal is $18,310, she said.

In addition to the walk, a dance group will perform in Edisto Gardens during the Nov. 3 event, and radio stations Bad Dog 94.7 FM and Old Skool 102.9 FM will be in attendance. There will also be door prizes and an auction.

"We hope that we have a lot of participation this year, and we hope to keep growing," Stanley said.

The event is sponsored nationally by Genworth Financial.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 50 to 70 percent of cases. Its "classic" symptom pattern begins with memory loss of recent events. There are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer's, and the direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias amount to more than $148 billion annually, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

The exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, and at the present time, there is no cure for or known medical treatment to stop the progression of the disease. However, the association said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved treatments that may temporarily improve, stabilize or slow the decline in thinking and memory skills. New drugs are being studied to determine whether they can improve memory or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and there are medications available to help reduce symptoms such as depression, agitation and sleeplessness associated with Alzheimer's.

For more information, visit www.alz.org or www.alz.org/sc.

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.