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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- A national candle lighting was held at the Ottumwa Good Samaritan Center.

The candle lighting was to support individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that can cause confusion and memory loss.

Families honored loved ones who have fallen victim to the incurable disease and were given plenty of support.

Unit Activity Coordinator Karla Hinton has hosted the candle lighting for quite some time and gave the families some words of encouragement.

"It's not a scary disease," Hinton said. "You still have a life and you can still function. The important thing is to go to a doctor to be sure that's what the problem is."

Currently there are 5.3 million Alzheimer's cases in the United States. Click here for more information on the disease