October 22, 2007
What Happens Next?
About 4.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease, and almost half of them -- nearly 2.2 million people -- are in the early stages of the disease. In the years to come, these numbers are expected to grow. One reason is that as Americans live longer, more of us will develop dementia in our older years. Another reason is that new knowledge and techniques are helping doctors detect signs of the disease earlier than ever before. An earlier diagnosis gives people with the disease and their families more time to get the right treatment and to plan for the future. More and more resources are available to help people with early-stage dementia cope with their feelings and the practical aspects of everyday life. Early-stage support groups are one of these resources. Joining an early-stage support group can help you and your family learn about the disease and get useful advice about living with dementia. A support group also can connect you with others in similar situations and enable you to confront the anxiety, sadness, anger, or fear that you might be experiencing.