with Granddaughter Maddy
Pop Pop’s Path is a local group dedicated to raising awareness regarding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Currently associated with the Alzheimer’s Association of Maryland, Pop Pop’s Path works to raise money for Alzheimer’s research and serves as an outreach for local individuals and their families living with Alzheimer’s.
David Arnold is a retired Navy, Army National Guard and Air National Guardsman. He is also retired from the state of Maryland having served as a police officer and later as a campus policeman for Loyola University of Chicago. David has been a proud field hockey and lacrosse coach for over 20 years, including being a founding member of the newly formed Greater Garrett County Youth Lacrosse.
He has received numerous commendations including a Governor’s Citation and Volunteer of the Year award from Oakland’s Our Town Theatre (where he spends much of his time). He has been married for over 40 years, is a proud father of three and grandfather of eight.
He has been living with Alzheimer’s for 2 years and is proud to be able to share his journey with others.
Worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a group of symptoms.
Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be younger-onset Alzheimer’s if it affects a person under 65. Younger-onset can also be referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s. People with younger-onset Alzheimer’s can be in the early, middle or late stage of the disease.