In less than 20 years, the number of Alzheimer's patients in Hawaii will increase by more than 200%. That's due in part to the fact that people are living longer, especially here.

Seniors at Hale Kako'o Adult Day Care are engaged in some kind of activity all day long. It's run now by the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center but it was started by the Alzheimer's Association.

"Hale Kako'o was the first day care and dedicated solely to supporting people with Alzheimer's and related disorders. But I'd say about 50 to 70 percent attendees have some type of memory challenge," said Janet Bender.

When it comes to Alzheimer's, according to Bender, it's important to get an early diagnosis.

"They want to find out is it something treatable and reversible and if not, you want to get that diagnosis so that you can try one of the medications that the FDA has approved to slow down the process."

These seniors are in day care because the families cannot be home full time to care for them. Bender says people need to realize there is help available.

"As the disease progresses, people need to realize that they don't need to do it by themselves. They should reach out because there are places like the Alzheimer's Association and other agencies that we collaborate with to provide support to the families and caregivers."

The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping families keep their loved ones at home as long as possible. In fact, the Association offers an eight week course on caregiving called "what Next?"

"And it's a wonderful way that people can find out information about the disease, how to deal with the challenging behaviors, looking at legal and medical issues - basically the whole gamut so that they can make informed decisions for their loved ones, themselves and their families," said Bender.