Speaker:  Program: Kelly Hauer, executive director of the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, gave a very informative talk about this debilitating condition.  It is the most common form of dementia.  The main risk factors are age and head injury.  4.5 million Americans have it, including 67,000 Iowans.  The Association works toward prevention, early diagnosis, treatments and addressing the social stigma and fear of loss of independence.  Survival usually ranges from two to twenty years after diagnosis.  Diagnosis is around 90% accurate now, and improving. 

The biggest message Kelly had for us is that it is not a normal consequence of aging, although because we live longer now, more people than ever have the disease.  By the year 2050, there may be 16 million cases in the US.