More than 5 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 100,000 of them live here in Washington state.

While Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, it is the third lead cause of death in Washington.

For Maple Valley resident and advocate Ken Geisen, Alzheimer’s disease has a personal connection.

When talking with Geisen, he told The Reporter it all began with his wife’s mother. He said she has been gone now for about 30 years and toward the end she didn’t really have her memory anymore. Geisen said, back then, it wasn’t labeled as Alzheimer’s or dementia, it was “just said to be old age.”

And most recently, a good friend of Geisen’s, Pat, has a brother who was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer’s in his mid-50’s.

Geisen, Pat and Pat’s brother, Mike, would spend time in Southern California together during the winter months.

“I watched him (Mike) deteriorate over time,” Geisen said.

About three years or so ago, Geisen said, Mike couldn’t travel anymore and lived in a facility in Idaho until last year when he died.

Following a financial donation Geisen made to the Idaho facility, he said he was contacted by people from the Alzheimer Association.

Geisen became part of the advocacy program where the goal is to “keep the topic in front of our government officials,” he said.

He signed up to be an advocate in the 5th district for Congressman Dave Reichert.

As an advocate, Geisen’s role is to communicate issues with representatives, like Reichert.

“It has become kind of a mission for me,” Geisen said.

In the Alzheimer’s disease awareness community, the longest day of the year symbolically represents the “longest day of their lives” for someone suffering or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

This year, Geisen said himself and Pat put together a golf challenge fundraiser. And they raised nearly $12,000, he said.

“It was a successful and fun event,” Geisen added.

The month of November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Family Caregiver Month. In Washington state alone there are more than 300,000 unpaid caregivers providing support for those suffering from Alzheimer’s.

November provides the chance “to recognize the impact of this disease and honor the work caregivers do for loved ones,” Becca Verda, communications and marketing manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter, said in an email interview.

There are also a number of fundraising walks that happen in Washington state to raise money for Alzheimer research. Geisen said typically the walks happen in the fall.

“Advocates like Ken make our work possible,” Verda said. “Everything we do at the Alzheimer’s Association is driven by volunteers and they really do affect change in the world. From raising awareness to making Alzheimer’s and dementia a federal priority, our advocates are changing the future of this disease.”

The Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves Washington and Northern Idaho. And they are there to provide support to not only those who have the disease but also for the caregivers.

The association provides a number of different services, all free of charge. Those services include education and support groups to resources for medical professionals, Verda said.

The Washington chapter also provides in person services such as conferences, support groups for caregivers and other events.

Verda added there is also a 24/7 help line for caregivers that can provide immediate, professional support. The help line’s phone number is 1-800-272-3900. Online resources are also available at www.alzwa.org.

Online at www.alz.org/care is a site dedicated to caregivers. It provides more than 70 pages of information regarding resources available to help aid caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

During the month of November, Verda said the association “(encourages) people to spread awareness and publicly honor caregivers on social media.”

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can take a toll on that person.

Fifty nine percent of caregivers rate their stress level at high or very high and 40 percent of those caregivers suffer from depression.

In 2015, due to the impacts of caregiving, caregivers spent $10.2 billion in healthcare just for themselves.

Interested in helping the Washington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Verda said people can help through donations, volunteering or spreading awareness of this disease by sharing their story or experience.

Verda wants people to know that “Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging and you don’t have to face this disease alone.”

She added the association “can help you seek diagnosis and navigate the unique challenges ahead.”

Verda said people are able to sign up for a research trial in their area through TrialMatch via www.alz.org/research.

My story

As Verda mentioned, sharing your story during the month of November is key to spreading awareness.

My grandma has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for a number of years now and my grandpa is her main caregiver.

I watch my grandparents interact and it breaks my heart to witness the changes that occur from each time I see them.

Just this past Saturday as I went over to visit them, I watched as my grandma tried to complete sentences and I watched the struggle on her face as she couldn’t remember what she was saying.

Alzheimer’s is an awful disease and sadly it does not just affect those who are diagnosed with it.

Over the years, I have also watched the toll it has taken on my grandpa. He has been retired for years now and has the time to care for my grandma but it is difficult. What were once simple tasks, now take time to complete.

I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone.

And as Geisen told me in our interview, he isn’t surprised anymore when talking to someone and he finds out they are affected in some way or another by Alzheimer’s.