Genetics Don’t Play As Big A Role In Alzheimer’s As You Might Think*

Ask anyone what worries them most about getting older, and more than a few people will say losing the ability to remember things is high up on their list. After a lifetime of making memories and forging meaningful relationships, the idea that a disease like Alzheimer’scould swoop in and steal it all away is, frankly, pretty frightening.

But what exactly does an Alzheimer’s diagnosis mean, anyway? And what is life like with the condition? Truthfully, it’s tough to be fully prepared until you’re actually living it, either yourself or because you’re a caregiver or family member of someone with Alzheimer’s.

“Newly diagnosed adults and their family members are deeply concerned about how to navigate this uncertain future,” says Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW, who runs a caregiver wellness program for the University of Michigan’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “They’re overwhelmed with ideas and fears, which often stem from a previous personal experience with Alzheimer’s or what they learn from the media.”

*Excerpt from MSN. read the full story here