DAPHNE, Ala. — Sunday night’s “Candles of Care’ ceremony at the John McClure Snook Memory Care Community honored those who have had — or have been touched by someone who’s had — Alzheimer’s disease. The service, part of a campaign sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, aligned with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

Those in attendance joined thousands of others across the country participating in similar memorial services.

George Yeend was there to honor his wife, Linda, who is currently dealing with the debilitating condition. Linda Yeend had spent three years at Snook, receiving treatment for her Alzheimer’s, George Yeend said, before being moved in September to Mercy Medical.

“It’s very sad,” he said. “We’ve been married for 46 years. She was always competent and now it’s hard.”

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible neurological disorder. Most victims are older than 65, but Alzheimer’s can strike in the 40s and 50s.

Symptoms include gradual memory loss, impairment of judgment, disorientation, personality change, difficulty in learning and loss of language skills.

No cure is known.

“Last night was an opportunity for attendees to heal, learn and experience what has become a tradition at the John McClure Snook Memory Care Community,” Mercy Medical communications project manager Cecilia Mace said. “Hopefully, this wonderful event will grow each year and reach everyone in the community that deals with this disease.”

At the ceremony, state Rep. Randy Davis (R-Ala.) said that the state legislature has considered passing a statewide proclamation to declare November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

Yesterday, the center offered complimentary memory screenings as part of the foundation’s awareness campaign. Attendees were able to enroll in Project Lifesaver, a service that helps locate wandering individuals who have Alzheimer’s or other dimentias.

Fast facts

From the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Web site:

Advanced age is the greatest risk factor.