to be a devastating, debilitating disease. Like diseases, it presents certain signs or symtoms; and like most signs and symptoms, they may indicate any number of issues - they overlap. You can't always tell the difference, and that is where a doctor comes in. If you, your loved one or a friend is showing any of these signs below, visit your doctor.

1. Memory loss that causes issues in daily living. 
Example: Forgetting recently gotten information - dates, places, names; needing to rely on reminders like sticky notes.

2. Issues with solving problems or planning things.
Example: Trouble following simple recipes when cooking; issues with concentrating for long.

3. Having trouble with completing familiar tasks at home, work, in free, leisurely time.
Example: A person can't remember the rules to a game they nornally play and enjoy.

4. Confused about places, times, seasons.
Example: A person forgets something is happening if it doesn't happen immediately.

5. Issues following and understanding the visual and spatial.
Example: A person may have issues seeing color contrast in favored art pieces.

6. Problems with speaking and writing.
Example: A person may stop talking in the middle of a conversation and not remember what they were saying or why.

7. Losing items and not being able to "retrace" their steps to find it.
Example: A person with Alzheimer's may missplace an item and then accuse someone of stealing.

8. Impaired judgment.
Example: Someone might easily succumb to telemarketing schemes if they get on the phone with one because they lose the ability to reason well with financial matters.

9. Isolating themselves and withdrawing from social settings.
Example: Someone will likely show lack of interest in hobbies and social activities they normally love.

10. Mood swings and personality changes. 
Example: Someone will often experience personality and mood changes from normally easy going to anxious or upset or confused.

Alzheimer's has no cure. But we can fight back. Donate to the cause and educate yourself. Eat right, exercise, stay sharp and active.

Source: Alzheimer's Association

other disease. I don't say this to belittle the loss people suffer at the hands of other diseases and illnesses, but to emphasize further the need to raise awareness and end Alzheimers. The difference with Alzheimers is that it steals not only the life of the person diagnosed, but both they, and their family and friends have to suffer through the loss of the memory, the personality, the essence of that person in this life while the brain is slowly taken over by the protein plaque build up that interferes with the regular functions.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November to be National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. At that time, there were fewer than 2 million Americans being diagnosed with the disease. That amount has steadily climbed to where Alzheimer's is now the 6th leading cause of death in Americans.

• Between 2000 and 2015, deaths due to Alzheimer's Disease rose 123%.
• Someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's every 65 seconds.
• There are about 5.7 million Americans living with the disease.
• In 2018, the projected cost of care for Alzheimer's Disease was $277 billion. The forecast is that it will reach $1.1 trillion by 2050 in America.
• 10% of people over 65 has been diagnosed.
• Approximately 2/3 of all Americans with Alzheimers are women. 
• Alzheimer's Disease is the only one in the top 10 leading causes of death that can't be prevented or cured.
• About 16.1 million people provide unpaid care to those with Alzheimers, with about 18.4 million hours being invested at a value of $232 billion.

There is no cure. But we are working toward one. The Alzheimer's Association is a national nonprofit leading the fight against Alzheimers. They have designated purple as the official awareness color for Alzheimer's Awareness Month and for all campaigns. Their mission:

They have chapters throughout the 50 states. Here in CT, you can reach out to local chapters in South Central Regional Office, Hamden, CT, Southwest Regional Office, Norwalk, CT, Eastern Regional Office, Norwich, CT, Northwest Regional Office, New Milford, CT. Find out about local fundraisers, make a donation, raise awareness. Let's band together to #EndAlz.

Sources:
- Alzheimer's Association, About
- Alzheimer's Association, Facts & Figures
- Alzheimer's Association, Find Your Chapter
- History of Alzheimer's, Rochester Elder Law

I could hardly believe it when I saw the projected temperature for Thanksgiving Day. 27 °F! It is the coldest Thanksgiving Day that I can remember for years. I mean, we just had our first snow storm last Thursday, one week before Thanksgiving. Now I'm not someone who particularly likes the cold, but this year, I am choosing to be thankful for the season and the positives it brings, such as the opportunity to learn snow sports like skiing and snowboarding.

The Pilgrims never had winter easy. In fact, they never had anything easy when they came to America. Yet, they set aside a day to be grateful for all they had, and shared the day with neighboring Native American tribes. They began the tradition of Thanksgiving.

November 2018: Kellyann H - From the moment she joined the Golden Horizons team in January 2018, Kellyann jumped right into the fray. Her friendly disposition and willingness to work have shown her to be invaluable to clients and the company alike. Thank you, Kellyann, for your hard work and dedication to your clients and to Golden Horizons. Congratulations!