“I had no idea that someone so young could even get Alzheimer's disease. The speed and aggression with which he attacked was something I really had no context for… My image was like: You forgot stuff. But that's really just the tip of the iceberg. You forget how to walk, move and talk. - Seth Rogen Alzheimer's disease is a disease that many people have heard about, but few really know much about it. Imagine not being able to remember your loved ones and friends or even knowing how to do simple tasks like getting dressed and brushing your hair. Now imagine having to dress your mother, who rarely remembers you. This is the reality of life for millions of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and the families who care for them. Alzheimer's disease causes a progressive decline in cognitive functions over time. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 5 million Americans (alz.org). It is the deadliest disease among older adults and must be taken seriously. As with any disease, there are factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease. The most common risk factor is age. After age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease doubles every 5 years. This means that as you age, you are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although early stage people can be diagnosed as early as their 30s, there are 500,000 people in America living with early stage Alzheimer's disease. Being a woman is another risk factor. Women are more likely than men to live with Alzheimer's disease. Two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer's disease in the United States are women. Another risk factor is genetic predisposition or family history. Some preventable risk factors include head injuries and heart health... middle of article ...... are linked to the disease. In conclusion, Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people around the world. This robs people not only of their memories, but also of their dignity and independence. It is also a huge burden for the families of those affected by the disease. This disease is fatal and there is no known cure. We can only hope that in the future, scientists will find a cure for this horrible disease. Sources « Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer’s Association.” Alzheimer's disease and dementia | Alzheimer’s Association. Np, and Web. May 29, 2014. “Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.” : How to reduce your risks and protect your brain. Np, and Web. May 30, 2014. “Alzheimer’s disease.” Stages of Alzheimer's: how the disease progresses. Np, and Web. May 30, 2014. “Stages of Alzheimer's disease: mild, moderate and severe. » WebMD. WebMD and Web. May 29 2014.