According to the Alzheimer's Association, memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not part of the normal aging process, but is a symptom of dementia. Dementia is a gradual and progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Some diseases that cause dementia include Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Pick's disease.

Certain conditions such as depression, brain tumors, infections, drug reactions, and thyroid problems often produce dementia like symptoms. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, a progressive degenerative disorder that results in the loss of brain cells, and begins with memory loss and leads to confusion, loss of intellectual and physical abilities, and changes in behavior. Some of the warning signs for Alzheimer's include difficulty performing familiar tasks, changes in mood or personality, forgetting recently learned information, misplacing things in inappropriate places, poor or decreased judgment, and disorientation to time and place.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, which is the fourth leading cause of death among adults. The average life expectancy of someone with Alzheimer's is between 8 and 10 years, although some people live considerably longer. According to data provided by the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 4 million Americans - including 140,000 Massachusetts residents have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

Although a small percentage of people

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under 60 may develop Alzheimer's, it is primarily a disease that afflicts the older population and the risk factor increases with age. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people age 65 and over suffer from Alzheimer's, while nearly half of those age 85 and over have the disease. Here in Berkshire County, it is estimated that 4,036 individuals age 65 or older suffer from Alzheimer's or a related disorder.

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that over 70% of people with Alzheimer's live at home, with almost 75% of their care being provided by family and friends. Individuals with Alzheimer's face an uncertain future, in which roles - including those of provider, caregiver, and advisor - may change, and in which independence and identity may be lost.

The typical primary family caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's is female in her 70s, and has two chronic health problems of her own. These caregivers may be providing 24 hour a day assistance to their loved ones with very little outside support, and may feel alone and disconnected. In many cases, they are reluctant to ask for help. As a result, they are often unable to complete household tasks, do errands, or get a break to care for their own needs.

One in ten American families has a loved one with Alzheimer's, and one in three adults knows someone with the disease. If you know a family caregiver or someone with Alzheimer's and would like to help, the Alzheimer's Association has a number of suggestions, among them: keep in touch, include all family members in conversation (speak to the person with Alzheimer's the way you would want to be spoken to), be a good listener, encourage the caregiver to take care of him or herself, and offer to help in specific ways (including offering to provide a break so that the caregiver can run errands or have a little personal time).

If you would like more information about Alzheimer's and/or dementia, call Elder Services or visit The Richard and Rita Gallagher Alzheimer's Resource Center at Elder Services on 66 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, (where the sources for this article are available), or contact the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at (413) 787-1113 or www.alzmass.org .

Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services