'The Optimistics': finding friendship after an early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis

While it's rare for Alzheimer’s disease to be diagnosed in people under age 65, it happens. It’s hard to track, but research suggests between 220,000 and 640,000 people in the U.S. are living with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Yolanda Wright is the program manager for the Greater Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She describes benefits of support groups for care partners as well as people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. And we meet three men who all have been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s: Dennis Myers, Jim Hursey, and Mike Razzi. They met at a support group, formed a deep friendship, and dubbed themselves, “The Optimistics.” The Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline is 1.800.272.3900. Resources: Local support group finder The 18th Annual Pythias A. and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss to be held Saturday, 11/5 at Coppin State UniversityDo you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472