From: gsonnesso@gmail.com [mailto:gsonnesso@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2010 9:55 AM
To: news@thecoastlandtimes.net
Cc: 'Nancy Proctor'; asonnesso@gmail.com; 'Rosemary Fielder'
Subject: RE: Press Release This GEM Research and Educational Project
Importance: High
Subject: Press Release
Contact: Gail Sonnesso 252.480.3354
This GEM Research and Educational Project
Data collection for The GEM Center’s Research and Educational Project began last week with the mailing of questionnaires to a randomly selected sample of Dare County residents. These potential research participants were provided the opportunity to assess their own knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease by completing the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale, a 30 question instrument that focuses on the causes, recognition and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. The study is funded in part by a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
The Research and Educational Project was funded after a preliminary study by the GEM Center revealed that the incidence rate for Dare residents may be considerably higher than that of the country as a whole. Indeed, this earlier study estimates that close to 1,000 Dare residents may currently be experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease.
For a variety of reasons, including the knowledge of family members, Alzheimer’s Disease is very difficult to recognize. Consequently major symptoms (memory lapse and loss) are sometimes ignored or attributed to other diseases and disorders. As a result, the suffering of Alzheimer’s patient, as well as that of family members, often goes untreated. In addition to facilitating the movement of patients and family members toward effective help with this severe illness, the goals of the study also include the identification of the particular areas of Alzheimer’s knowledge that GEM needs to prioritize in its educational and outreach efforts.
Mrs. Gail Sonnesco, MS, Executive Director of the GEM Center, directs the project’s educational component. Dr. Bob Green, Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University, wrote the grant proposal and directs the research component. Assistance to both components is being provided by GEM Board Members and volunteers: Valerie Cummings, Nancy Kosanovitch NP, Gladys Jenkins, Mary Ellen Hawthorne, Jean Basnight Rosemary Fielder and Kathy Byrnes.
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