What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, July 9, 2015 featuring Guest Host WGAL News 8’s Kim Lemon:

Dementia. It is a degenerative brain disease for which there is no cure.

WGAL News 8’s Kim Lemon knows this well. Six years ago her husband was diagnosed with early onset dementia, specifically Lewy Body dementia. It’s a perfect cocktail of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Psychosis. Kim has been his advocate, caregiver and friend. She is now speaking out publicly about her experience with the disease and has produced a number of special reports on WGAL about dementia to help raise public awareness.

Did you know there are many different kinds of degenerative brain diseases? Did you know it’s very likely your life will someday be affected by dementia? To help us better understand the disease we’ll hear from Clay Jacobs of the Greater Harrisburg Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Plus, we’ll talk with a man who has dementia, Harry Urban of East Petersburg in Lancaster County. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago and will talk about what it feels like to live with a degenerative brain disease. He’ll also tell us about an exciting website he has created for Dementia patients called DementiaMentors.com.

Also on the program will be Elizabeth Lewis, a long-time caregiver to her husband Al–a well-known attorney from Lebanon County who also served our country on the Warren Commission. Al has since passed, but Liz has much to share with us about her journey as a caregiver.

The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-272-3900 or click here for more information and local resources.