As many as 5.3 million Americans have it and it is the seventh leading cause of death. You may think it’s an “older” person’s disease; however there are 250,000 Americans who have it - under age 65. And thanks to Scott Kirshbaum’s documentary, we can get a first-hand account of the toll a wandering mind takes on the person without control.

We’ve heard the countless, heart-wrenching stories about the effects Alzheimer’s has on family members, friends and caregivers, but we've never seen the actual disease be the only “star” of the story, until now.

Scott Kirshbaum’s documentary You’re Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t is currently airing on PBS’ Independent Lens http://yourelookingatme.com/ program and it is a simple and bold introspection into one woman’s battle with this disease.

This film zeros in on the daily routine of one woman, Lee Gorewitz, who lives in a residential care center in Danville, California. According to Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times, “Kirschbaum catches glimmers of self-awareness in Ms. Gorewitz, indications that she recognizes her diminished capacity and knows there’s nothing to be done about it.”

On my television show, Family Comes First, we met the Henley Family where we focused on “Alzheimer’s Impact on Family.” Mike Henley was diagnosed with Early Onset Familial Alzheimer’s at age 36 and passed away at the age of 46 this past February. He bravely fought this disease but clearly, much more needs to be done.

Having to take care of a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be a heartbreaking proposition. But there are many who refuse to give up and decide to take care of their loved one at home. We can find hope and strength from family and resources that are available in our community.

We must do our best to combat this horrible disease. As founding chair of the legal advisory committee of the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter (http://www.alz.org/longisland/) , we are available to help families take care of a loved one who has Alzheimer’s.

Vincent and Susan Russo appear on Telecare's Good News program to discuss Family Comes First, The Theresa Foundation and The Theresa Academy of the Performing Arts.

Click through to watch the full video online.

Vincent J. Russo and Telecare are proud to present the new season of Family Comes First™.

Watch videos online and learn more at www.familycomesfirst.tv.

For the second year, we’re coming to you directly from our Family Room at Telecare with real stories about real families. This year’s topics are: Surviving the Holocaust, Living with a Disability, Children with Special Needs, and Adoption Options.

Each episode:

• Focuses on the challenges real-life families are facing
• Offers resources from leading community organizations
• Features spiritual reflections of Msgr. James M. McNamara