By Eric Stock

NORMAL – The death of legendary singer and songwriter Glen Campbell is putting the spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease.

Gaye Aaberg , President of Synergy Home Care in Normal, told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn the costs to treat Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia continue to grow as a growing number of families are unable to pay for treatment.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Aaberg on WJBC.

“This is a disease that our country needs to invest money in and take care of or it will bankrupt us,” Aaberg said.

Aaberg said Alzheimer’s goes beyond forgetfulness.

“You know the drive home from the grocery store every day and then you get lost, those are the things that scare people and really scare their families,” Aaberg said.

Aaberg says some who suffer from Alzheimer’s end up living a decade or more with the illness, but most will end up needing a full-time caregiver.

“As that disease progresses, they can live long lives,” Aaberg said. “Normally, their bodies are incredibly strong and their minds are mush by the end of it, which is very sad.”

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].