Without Warning began when a patient at the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center advocated for its founding after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in his early 50s. He felt out of place in traditional Alzheimer's support groups because he faced different challenges than people 20 and 30 years older than he. The name Without Warning came from a woman living with early onset. She said the illness came to her "without warning." Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a diagnosis before the age of 65.
 
The group aims to address the sense of isolation often felt by people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Many feel their identity has been lost or significantly altered by memory loss and its accompanying life changes. In addition to providing group support and creating a community, Without Warning connects participants to other programs and society at large. Among other activities, the group has sponsored a picnic for families, joined the Alzheimer's Association's Chicago Memory Walk, and held annual fundraising galas. Each semester, Memory Bridge invites people from Without Warning to speak to our students about living with memory loss.
 
Without Warning's sister group, Sin Aviso™, offers a similar support system for Spanish speakers. Sin Aviso, which means "without warning" in Spanish, began meeting this summer. While smaller in size than Without Warning, Sin Aviso provides a growing community and support to Spanish speakers in their native, conversational language.
 
Each group meets once a month and is facilitated by staff from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center. After a time for coffee and conversation, caregivers and those living with Alzheimer's disease break into small groups. In each group, attendees share about their journey, struggles, and joys. Caregivers often discuss resources and research advances as well.
 
Both groups are open to people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers regardless of hospital or doctor affiliation; however, pre-screening is required. For more information about Without Warning, please contact Susan Frick, MSW, at Susan_Frick@rush.edu. For more information about Sin Aviso, please contact Nieves Lopez-Barrera at Nieves_Barrera@rush.edu.