Alzheimer's Care

We know so much, yet so little about Alzheimer’s Disease.  And what we do know can be very, very discouraging.  Today we know that ….there is no cure, the disease worsens as it progresses, and while the drugs available may slow down the progression, they do not stop the disease.  I find myself wondering – “Where is the hope?” “What does the future hold?” …… and most importantly “Where is the research?” 

To learn more about the disease and what is being discussed for the future – visit HBO online and view the documentary “The Alzheimer’s Project” (http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/).  The series is divided into four segments.  Each segment focuses on a different aspect of the disease including:  The Memory Loss Tapes, Grandpa Do You Know Who I Am?, Momentum in Science, and Caregivers.

As an active caregiver for a Mother with Alzheimer’s, I found the series difficult to watch at times.  Yet, I felt an instant bond with the other families I saw struggling with the same disease and, who like me; don’t seem to have all the answers.  It was also comforting to learn about the research being done and the minor discoveries made to date.  Hopefully the research will lead to a significant breakthrough to help better understand and eventually cure Alzheimer’s Disease.

At a recent appointment with a new doctor, I revealed my family’s history of Alzheimer’s Disease.  To date, the cases I am aware of are Grandmother, Mother and Aunt.  Of course I wonder if the next generation – me and my sister- will inherit this insidious disease.  My doctor counseled that inflammation may seem to contribute to the disease.  So, I left with advice to take a daily low dose aspirin and  fish oil capsules.  How much happier I would have been to receive a vaccine like the ones available for mumps, measles, shingles, etc.   Maybe this will happen in the future – I certainly hope so.