I always find myself feeling embarrassed if I forget someone’s name or can’t remember a face.

Just this week, a woman came into the Vicksburg Post and I thought she looked familiar. As I walked by she said, “You don’t know who I am, do you?”

Fear welled up inside of me and I threw out my best guess, and fortunately I was right.

It had been a former next-door neighbor and friend I had not seen in a while.

To my credit, she had lost a lot of weight and changed her hair-do, but still, having that glimmer of recognition, but not being able to instantly know who she was alarmed me.

I have felt a similar sensation when I have misplaced my keys or can’t remember where I parked my car in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Am I getting Alzheimer’s?

My paternal grandfather died in 2000 after developing the disease and my maternal grandmother, who will turn 100 this year, suffers from dementia that has progressed to the point that she no longer recognizes any of her family.

So when Dr. John Torres, an NBC News medical correspondent, reported on the “Today Show” this week that there is a new trial on a breakthrough Alzheimer’s medication, I paid close attention.

According to Torres, the medication, which is being developed from a Japanese partner to the company Biogen, finds that in the 18-month study the drug not only influences the structural changes to the brain, it also helps reduce memory decline.

Sounds like promising news, however, it will take years before the medication will be available to the public.

According to alz.org., 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and in Mississippi alone there has been a 216 percent increase in deaths due to the disease since my grandfather died.

Although these numbers are staggering for the Magnolia state, increases are being seen nation-wide and this is due to our large aging population.

With these increases comes the dilemma of how to adequately care for those who can no longer take care of themselves.

My paternal grandmother took care of her husband in their home with the help of part-time sitters, and while my maternal grandmother has lived in nursing home type facilities after she could no longer care for herself, my mother and aunt have devoted much time to her continued care, sometimes to the point of it affecting their health.

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients require an inordinate amount of physical care, and the emotional side can also take a toll.

I think this is why I worry that I, too, may one day develop Alzheimer’s.

I have personally seen how ugly this disease can be.

While there are many diseases and ailments that seem foul and heartless, Alzheimer’s to me is the worst.

Living and not knowing seems incomprehensible, so I pray this breakthrough advances sooner than later.

So in the future I, nor anyone else will have to worry about getting Alzheimer’s.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.