This is the second in a series about Alzheimer's and Dementia. Let's start with some good news:
http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-anti-alzheimers-gene-mutation-151901443.html
I am really hopeful that if or by the time I am diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's they will have found a cure for it. I just wish they could find how to cure the disease now for the millions that are suffering from it.
Next up is mostly good news with a frightening statement or two:
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/07/results_from_two_promising_alz.html
Damn the drug companies. They better not stop their research. Let's just all take a moment to pray and send good thoughts that the results of the studies mentioned in the article are positive. Positive enough to keep the research going. There was an article in today's paper that the National Alzheimer's Association goal is to find a cure by the year 2025. That is more likely to happen if the drug companies stay in the ball game.
I'm closing with some caregiver tips. Like cancer Alzheimer's and Dementia are family diseases. It isn't only the patient that suffers, it is the family, the friends, and the one who suffers the most the main caregiver. The health of all of the ones surrounding the patient often suffers. The following article is the most comprehensive helpful guide I can find. It has tips for everything including how to communicate with someone suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer's.
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_dementias_caring_caregivers.htm
A lot of relatives are reluctant to admit they can no longer care for a patient and are reluctant to place their relative in an assisted living or memory care facility when the best choice is to bring the professionals in. I love this quote from the above article:
"If the best choice is to move the Alzheimer’s patient to a facility, it doesn’t mean you will no longer be involved in their care. Quite the opposite, you are making sure your loved one gets the care he or she needs. You can still visit regularly and stay involved in the person’s care. Even if you are not yet ready to make that step, doing some initial legwork might save a lot of heartache in the case of a crisis where you have to move quickly. The first step is finding the right place for your loved one. "
To anyone reading this feel free to share yesterday's and today's post with anyone. If you want to share any article posted in the two days please do. We can fight this disease. Yes we can. It starts with us.
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4 comments:
Another "could possibly represent a target for treatments to prevent Alzheimer's disease". Shoot, why don't they just mutate our genes instead of testing for another 10 or 20 years? I know, I know, unintended consequences and all that, but still...
It's nice to hear that there are new drugs in the pipeline, not so nice to hear that if they don't work, Pharma may give up.
Good article on caregiving, too, though I thought they gave a rather rosy picture of nursing homes.
Hi Pat
Unintended consequences or not why would it heart to try the new drugs on Alzheimer's patients? Mutate their genes. One of three things would happen; nothing, they would get better, or they would die. Considering their quality of life I think the risks are worth it.
I am waiting for the results of the two studies. Then if Pharma quits the research I am going to do something to go after them.
I noticed that about the nursing homes but ignored for two reasons. One there was so much other good information that it was worth sharing. Two most Alzheimer's & Dementia patients don't go to nursing homes. They go to assisted living centers or memory care facilities and some of those are quite nice. Most have professional staff.
Bill
Excellent articles, Bill. I just read one today on the positive results of the very small study that was done, which seemed promising and I'm glad they're doing a much larger one. I agree with testing the gene mutation on Alzheimer patients who agree to it. I also agree on consigning the drug companies to the nether regions, if they just give up, particularly considering the large segment of our population dealing with the disease and the fact there are only going to be more and more, as the boomers age.
Great tips in the article for caregivers. I've watched people have to make the very difficult decision to move a spouse or parent to assisted living or Alzheimer facilities. Yet, in most cases, after the transition period, both the patient and the caregiver have been happier and healthier.
Hi DR
You read the same study I did and it also stated in that article the goal date for a cure is 2025. In our lifetime.
The drug companies just have to stay with it. They can't quit.
If I had it to do over again with dad I would have put dad in a facility much earlier and just deal with the fallout from Mom. Both Mom and I would have ended up healthier.
Bill
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