Glen Campbell Documentary Sheds Light on Alzheimer's Disease

It was two years ago today that grammy-winning musician Glen Campbell died of Alzheimer’s disease, and a statewide senior living company is taking the occasion to educate the public – showing a documentary about Campbell. 

Glen Campbell was a skilled session guitarist who played with Sinatra, the Monkeys and the Beach Boys before  launching his solo career in 1967.

“I am a lineman for the county, and I drive the main road, searching the sun for another overload.”

Wichita Lineman was the first of 21 top-40 hits he would release – including Rhinestone Cowboy, Galveston, By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Southern Nights. He’ll be remembered for those but also for a courageous decision to go public with his diagnosis, one that many Americans will hear in the years to come.

"Every six seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease according to Paula Harder with Commonwealth Senior Living.  She says it’s important that people get checked if they’re having problems with memory.

"The earlier someone gets a diagnosis the more the disease process can be managed, the higher quality of life someone can have," she explains. " It also helps to eliminate other possibilities, because there are often other illnesses that can create the same symptoms but are curable and manageable."

Harder adds that there are medications to help manage the disease, and it’s important to start planning for a patient’s care in advance rather than waiting until the family is in crisis.

But how can you tell when a memory lapse is just normal forgetfulness? When is it really time to see a doctor?

"If someone is doing unusual things, like they’re putting their car keys in the refrigerator or have difficulty recalling a name, and unlike the rest of us who might remember that name 10-15 minutes later or the next day, someone who has significant disease is not going to remember the name at all or that they were even trying to remember that name," she says.

To promote greater public awareness, Commonwealth has invited the public to free screenings of I’ll Be Me – a documentary about Glen Campbell’s life, his farewell tour and how he and his family coped with the Alzheimer’s disease.  

Admission is free, but seating is limited, so Commonwealth asks you to call to reserve seats.

Commonweath Senior Living is a sponsor of RadioIQ.