Alzheimer’s is a noncommunicable disease that is dear to my heart because of the effect it had on my family. My great grandmother, Margaret Anita Morris, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When I was but a child, she still had the ability to function and love me. As I grew, however, I realized she no longer remembered who I was, who my mother was, or who anyone, in fact, was. My great grandmother was so affected, she couldn’t even remember to use the toilet when she had to use the bathroom. One winter, she died at the age of 85 with no memory of who I was. I was left with regrets of how I could have tried harder to love her, despite the struggle she had trying to love me, someone she could not remember. This disease may seem as a lost cause, but I believe there is a way to reach through to patients with it. While there may be no cure, I believe there is hope. …show more content…
However, there is a very distinct difference between forgetfulness and the beginning symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The symptoms for this disease begin to affect the part of the brain that relates to learning. Having no memory whatsoever of newly learned things is an unfortunate symptom of the beginnings of this brain degenerative disease. The brain cells will continue to be affected and other parts of the brain will begin to show more severe symptoms. Loss of short term memory will lead to long term. Confusion and suspicion involving people they should know and places they should be familiar with can become a very dangerous symptom that can lead them to hazardous behaviors if untreated. Because of how deeply Alzheimer’s affects the brain and ultimately the way a person functions, it is very important that symptoms are recognized and taken into