Memory is something you and I experience everyday, an essential part of our lives.   Without memory, who are we?  Memory, in a way, defines who we are.  Memory is why we can perform daily tasks.  Memory shapes us as human beings.  Imagine not being able to remember what you did yesterday, who your family is, or your own name.  Unfortunately memory loss impacts countless people and often times effects many of us directly.

Memory loss is apparent in my family.  My grandmother has Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia that causes difficulty with memory, thinking, and behavior.  This disease worsens overtime and has no cure.  When visiting my grandmother, she will often ask the same questions multiple times.  Occasionally a switch will flip in her mind and she will say, “Oh yes! You told me that already”.  But this is a very rare occurrence.  Unfortunately my sweet grandmother does not realize her mind is deteriorating, therefore she will not accept treatment to slow down the process.

My grandmother is not the first to experience Alzheimer’s in our family.  Both her mother and father experienced severe dementia.  Grandma always told us how horrible it was to see her parents slip away from her.  She swore she would seek treatment as soon as she displayed signs of this horrible disease, but she has yet to accept treatment.  This treatment includes drugs that help slow down the process.  Currently there are two types of medications approved by the FDA.  These drugs help lessen or stabilize symptoms.

There is nothing worse than seeing the mind of a loved one deteriorate.  As a society, we can only hope to cure this horrible disease that effects so many people.  I know my mother and I vouch that we will start preventive treatment as soon as it is available to us.

Works Cited:

1. “Latest Medication for Memory Loss | Alzheimer’s Association.” Latest Medication for Memory Loss | Alzheimer’s Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.
2. “Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer’s Association.” Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer’s Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.