ESCANABA -- Seven years ago, 89-year-old Leo Neubauer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In some ways he hasn't changed.
“He still has his sense of humor,” explains his daughter, Sue Brown, “and sometimes that can be frustrating when you try to get a straight answer out of him, and he just wants to clown around."
The child-parent roles are now reversed for this World War II vet. Neubauer now depends on Sue, who said he needs constant monitoring for his safety, just like a two year old.
“Eventually children learn and they grow, and this is going the opposite way," Brown said.
Alzheimer’s isn't preventable, but an early diagnosis is vital.
“Most people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have had it for a few years,” explains Darlene Smith, Director of Nursing at Pinecrest Medical Care Facility. “But they may be embarrassed to admit they need help because they think forgetting names or forgetting how to balance a checkbook is just part of the normal aging process."
There are medications that can help maintain basic skills, like feeding yourself and walking. But experts say the benefits are minimal.
“The medications kind of hold them at certain levels, but we really want them to enjoy each day as much as possible," Smith said.
The best treatments are proactive ones like eating healthy and exercising regularly.
The Alzheimer's Association will hold a Walk to End Alzheimer's on August 27 at the Escanaba Civic Center. The money raised stays in the U.P. and goes towards research, family support, and education.
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