Memory Concerns? Actress Deidre Hall Urges Public to Get Screened

Memory Concerns? Actress Deidre Hall Urges Public to Get Screened

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Got ten minutes? Actress Deidre Hall is encouraging anybody concerned about memory loss to use that minimal amount of time for a very meaningful purpose: to participate in National Memory Screening Day on November 15.

Free, confidential memory screenings will be available at more than 700 sites across the U.S. as part of an annual initiative presented by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) to promote early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. To find a local site, visit http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org/ or call toll-free 866-AFA-8484.

Hall, best known as "Dr. Marlena Evans" on Days of Our Lives, is serving as national advocate for AFA's National Memory Screening Day. Her father had Alzheimer's disease, and she only recently began speaking out about the disease and its impact on families.

In urging people to get screened, Hall said: "Memory loss is a hard thing for people to acknowledge. But it's also very helpful to be proactive and to find out what you're facing. Getting a memory screening is a first step toward knowledge and a giant step toward care. It can make all the difference for families."

For those families affected by Alzheimer's disease, Hall said it is critical for them to reach out to community organizations for assistance.

"I really 'get' what they're going through. There are lots of unknowns and care is overwhelming. Caregivers need to talk, listen and be heard, and they need to nurture themselves," she said.

Currently, an estimated five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and the incidence is expected to triple by mid-century. However, experts believe many more cases are undiagnosed; research shows that 50 percent to 66 percent of persons with dementia have never received a diagnosis from a physician.

Signs that there might be a problem include forgetfulness about names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion, and erratic mood swings.

On National Memory Screening Day, healthcare professionals administer a noninvasive test that consists of questions and tasks to assess memory. A screening could indicate whether someone should follow up with a complete medical exam. It is not used to diagnose any illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified professional, the AFA said.

As a follow-up to a screening, comprehensive medical exams may reveal that the person is suffering from a reversible condition, such as a vitamin deficiency or thyroid problem, or from an irreversible disorder like Alzheimer's disease, which is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Introduced in 2003, National Memory Screening Day has been gaining momentum each year, according to Eric J. Hall, AFA's chief executive officer (who is not related to Deidre Hall). The event coincides with National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

"More and more people, especially aging baby boomers, are concerned about memory loss. It's so important to find out what is causing it. If it is Alzheimer's disease, we want them to know that, like with other diseases, catching it early is important. Treatment and community resources can be put into play," Hall said.

"More often, people walk away from these screenings with a big sigh of relief. Plus they receive information about how to age successfully," he added.

AFA is a New York-based national nonprofit organization that focuses on care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their families. It unites hundreds of member organizations across North America that provide hands-on support services. At a national level, AFA's services include a toll-free hotline, educational materials, a free magazine for caregivers, and training for healthcare professionals. For more information, call (toll- free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit http://www.alzfdn.org/.

Source: Alzheimer's Foundation of America

CONTACT: Carol Steinberg of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, +1-866-AFA-8484, afapr@aol.com

Web site: http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org/ http://www.alzfdn.org/

------- Profile: Ent