Photo: NIA
- "I got the diagnosis and I thought I was going to die; then I thought I might not." — Les
- "Not being sure of my diagnosis … I was so scared … I didn't know which way to go."
— Evelyn
Do you have a family member or friends with Alzheimer's disease? Are you wondering what they're going through or how to help them cope?
What Happens Next? is a new, free booklet developed by the earlystage support group at the Northwestern University Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago and published by the NIH's National Institute on Aging (NIA). Almost five million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease, and nearly 2.2 million people are in the first stages of the disease. Early diagnosis gives people with the disease and their families more time to get the right treatment and to plan for the future.
The authors of What Happens Next? chose to share their thoughts and feelings because they wanted to help others facing the beginning stages of dementia. The book offers firsthand views about diagnosis, what to expect, how to talk with others about the disease, and more. It presents a list of helpful organizations that offer written materials about dementia, information about support groups and services, and ways to get involved in research that may help others in the future.
Order Your Free Copy: To order a free copy of What Happens Next? and other NIA publications online, visit www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov or call 1-800-438-4380.