We all forget things occasionally like birthdays or overdue library books, but Alzheimer's disease is different in that it permanently affects the brain and makes it harder to remember even basic things over time. Eventually, an Alzheimer's patient may not remember family members or even themselves. Alzheimer's disease usually affects those over 65 and can be sad for both the patient and their family, but researchers have found medicines that can slow it down and hope to find a cure.