Osprey Village to Hold Free Memory Screenings
National Event Stresses the Importance of Proper Detection and Treatment
11-02-2009
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Amelia Island, Fla., November 02, 2009 - Consumers who want a status check on their memory can take advantage of free, confidential screenings on November 17 at Osprey Village, a luxury retirement community in Amelia Island, Fla. The event is a part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) designed to promote proper detection of memory problems and strategies for successful aging.
Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer's disease or other medical conditions. Now in its seventh year, AFA's National Memory Screening Day coincides with National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, which takes place during November. Sites across the country will be participating.
On November 17, Osprey Village will hold free memory screenings at 48 Osprey Village Dr., from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Lynne Starling, wellness coordinator, at (904)-432-1190.
The event features a face-to-face screening, which takes only about five to ten minutes, and consists of a series of questions and tasks. It is administered by a qualified health care professional, such as a physician, nurse, psychologist or social worker. The results do not represent a diagnosis, and AFA advises those individuals with below-normal scores or those who have normal scores but are still concerned to follow up with a qualified health care professional.
Osprey Village Executive Director Matt Younger urges the public to be proactive about brain health.
"We are excited about hosting the screenings in Amelia Island," Younger said. "Too many people don't understand the connection between brain health and physical health, so participating in a memory screening is an important first step in bridging that gap."
Currently, as many as 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and the incidence is rising in line with the aging population. Age is the greatest known risk factor.
For more information about National Memory Screening Day, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.com or call 866-AFA-8484.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in New York and made up of more than 1,200 member organizations that provide hands-on programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. AFA's services include a toll-free hot line, counseling, educational materials, a free caregiver magazine, and professional training. For information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
