“I had no idea someone so young could get Alzheimer's. The speed and aggressiveness with which he attacked was something I had no context for… My image was like, “You forgot something.” But this is really the tip of the iceberg. You forget how to walk, move and talk. - Seth Rogen Alzheimer's is a disease that many people have heard about, but few actually know much about. Imagine not being able to remember your loved ones and friends or even how to carry out simple tasks like getting dressed and brushing your hair. Now imagine having to dress your mother, who now 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 causes a gradual decrease in cognitive function over time. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 5 million Americans (alz.org). It is the deadliest disease affecting the elderly and must be taken seriously. As with any disease, there are factors that can increase the risk of developing it. The most common risk factor is age. After age 65, the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease doubles every 5 years, meaning that as you get older you are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although early-onset Alzheimer's can be diagnosed as early as one's thirties, there are 500,000 people in America living with early-onset Alzheimer's. Being a woman is another risk factor. Women are more likely than men to live with Alzheimer's. Two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer's in America are women. Another risk factor is genetic predisposition or family history. Some avoidable risk factors involve head injuries and heart health... middle of the paper...re for the disease. In conclusion, Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people around the world. It strips people not only of their memories, but also of their dignity and independence. It is also a huge burden for the families of sick people. 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 and dementia | Alzheimer's Association". Alzheimer's disease and dementia | Alzheimer's Association. Np, nd Web. May 29, 2014. "Prevention of Alzheimer's and Dementia." : How to reduce risks and protect your brain. Np, nd Web. May 30, 2014."Alzheimer's disease." Alzheimer's stages: how the disease progresses. Np, nd Web. May 30, 2014."Stages of Alzheimer's Disease: Mild, Moderate, and Severe." WebMD. WebMD and Web. May 29 2014.