'Public health crisis': Alzheimer's volunteers are needed to reach patients across Ohio

Help is needed reaching hundreds of thousands of Ohioans as young as 35 who will developAlzheimer'sover the coming decades.

"We want to let them know what the warning signs are," said Pam Myers of the Alzheimer's Association. "We want to get to them and help them understand how to reduce their risk of getting dementia in the first place."

The association is recruiting community educators, event coordinators, fundraising specialists and more throughout the northwest and central portions of Ohio.

Doctors say nearly everyone knows somebody affected by Alzheimer's.

"There are many thousands of people who have this disease who are never diagnosed for various reasons," Myers said. "People think they’re just getting old, or their families think they're just getting old."

'More and more people with this disease'

There are 236,200 people in the Buckeye State who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a number that's expected to grow in coming years.

"By 2025, which of course is next year, we are pretty solid on our projection of 250,000 Ohioans with the disease," Myers said.

Over the next 25 years, the number of Americans with the disease is expected to nearly double, from 7 million patients to 13 million.

"Our baby boomers are getting to the point where their age is their greatest risk factor," Myers said. "So yes, we are going to see more and more people with this disease."

'Take care of your brain as a living organ'

Few people in their mid 30s realize they are at risk of showing early symptoms of Alzheimer's.

"They're living their life, and that's good because they should be," Myers said.

Volunteers with the Alzheimer's Association teach younger people they can help protect themselves from the disease with lifestyle choices like eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep.

"Does this sound familiar?" Myers said. "This is the way we take care of our heart, right? It's the same way we should be taking care of our brain."

Cognitive functions like keeping the brain active and maintaining close relationships with loved ones will add another layer of defense against the disease.

"The way that you take care of your brain as a living organ, all of those pieces are interconnected," Myers said. "You can't do anything about your age and you can't do anything about your genes, but you can work on what you eat, how you exercise, how you take care of yourself and your lifestyle − you have control over that."

'We need the volunteer support'

Spreading that message across Ohio is one of the association's primary goals.

The disease is "a public health crisis with no current cure," according to Vince McGrail, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association.

"The good news is, you can do something to help by becoming an association volunteer," McGrail said. "Our ability to reach and support those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia depends on people in our communities who are dedicated to the fight against this disease."

Every area of the state is in need of volunteers. Opportunities are available for those of all backgrounds and skillsets.

"Volunteers are needed everywhere," Myers said. "All of our chapters."

People who are interested in the organization are invited to attend their local Walk to End Alzheimer's − walks take place through autumn and are listed online at alz.org.

Those who want to see how they can best help the fight against Alzheimer's can fill out a volunteer interest form at alz.org/nwohio/volunteer.

To speak to an Ohio volunteer coordinator, call 419-537-1999.

"More people are asking questions; more people are seeking help and resources," Myers said. "In order to handle all this influx, we need the volunteer support."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508