Strolling down memory lane isn't as easy it used to be for 87-year-old John Goldhawk, who like many living with late onset Alzheimer's disease has trouble putting the pieces of the past together.

What You Need To Know

  • Millions of adults across the nation are living with Alzheimer's disease
  • It's a disease that robs patients of their most prized short-term and often long-term memories
  • Older adults are being advised to prioritize brain health and get an early memory screening

John's daughter Sara is his primary caregiver.

"Every day's a new story, so that's how it goes," said Sara.

John's story started about nine years ago when he was officially diagnosed with a disease his dad and older sister had as well. 

"We were sad, but there was a bit of a relief because we knew at that point what was coming," said Sara.

What came were bouts of agitation, sadness and anger.

"He's having trouble swallowing at times [and] we don't know when it's going to happen,” said Sara. “He sometimes has trouble finding the bathroom.”

Part of that earlier diagnosis included a memory screening that confirmed Sara's suspicions and allowed the family to seek medical support. 

"Because you are left in the lurch until that happens. You don't know what's going on," said Sara.

Those early screenings can be as simple as a Q&A with a primary doctor, or a series of written exercises.

Blood work, a scan and formal neuropsychological testing are also measures that can't reverse the damage but can slow the progression.

"You get reassured, and a lot of anxiety and stress goes away if you are fine. And if you have some problems, then we have some treatments to keep you at that stage, so you don't get worse," said Dr. Kinga Szigeti, neurology professor, founding director, Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorder Center, University at Buffalo. 

And that’s why leaders with the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association are encouraging older adults to make brain health a priority this year by eating healthy, staying social, exercising regularly and getting screened.

"It can be a huge peace of mind,” said Chelsea Torgalski, education program manager, WNY Chapter, Alzheimer's Association. “These things will not necessarily stop you from getting dementia, but what it will do is kind of build a wall or barrier against that cognitive decline.”

What Sara does is bring her dad and his other sister to the YMCA, where they bounce and catch a basketball to keep his body and mind active.

"He wakes up. He's very alert. His reflexes change,” said Sara. “This is a happy place. The activity itself is doing something in his brain. I see it. I absolutely see it.” 

Sara is also advocating for the YMCA to offer a program for people with dementia or Alzheimer's, modeled after the one she's created for her dad, to keep others active as well.