Would you believe it? It is turning to fall in Minnesota.
Accordingly the weather has a coolness to it. This refreshing coolness is
accentuated by the open windows with that great air flowing in. Who opened that
window? Bob DeMarco did! He did with his essay entitled World Alzheimer Report 2011. Read it by
clicking on it and go to Alzheimer’s Reading Room where it is posted.
It is also posted in my Archive. Click on Archive to go there and read it.
Read it. If you have been following events such as last
summers pontification by the National Institute of Health (NIH):
…there is currently no evidence of even moderate scientific
quality supporting the association of any modifiable factor—dietary supplement
intake, use of prescription or non-prescription drugs, diet, exercise, and
social engagement—with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The evidence
surrounding risk reduction for cognitive decline is similarly limited.
Low-grade evidence shows weak associations between many lifestyle choices and
reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.
Or the statement of Harry Johns,
President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association released on 1-27-2011 in the
form of a press release to be disseminated by all media:
"Alzheimer's is a
tragic epidemic that has no survivors. Not a single one,"
“Alzheimer's will darken the long-awaited retirement years of
the one out of eight baby boomers who will develop it. Those who will care for
these loved ones will witness, day by day, the progressive and relentless
realities of this fatal disease. But we can still change that if we act
now."
According to the new
Alzheimer's Association report Generation
Alzheimer's, it is expected that 10 million baby boomers will
either die with or from Alzheimer's, the only one of the top 10 causes of death
in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. But
while Alzheimer's kills, it does so only after taking everything away, slowly
stripping an individual's autonomy and independence. Even beyond the cruel
impact Alzheimer's has on the individuals with the disease, Generation Alzheimer's also details the
negative cascading effects the disease places on millions of caregivers.
Caregivers and families go through the agony of losing a loved one twice: first
to the ravaging effects of the disease and then, ultimately, to actual death.
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health
organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to
eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide
and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of
dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without
Alzheimer's
You will undoubtedly find the view in the U.S. as espoused
by the NIH and the Alzheimer’s Association is contrary to the findings and the
opinion expressed in this report by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).
The
World Alzheimer Report 2011, released today by Alzheimer’s Disease
International (ADI), shows that there are interventions that are effective in
the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, some of which may be more effective
when started earlier, and that there is a strong economic argument in favor of
earlier diagnosis and timely intervention.
This is so refreshing seeing something
coming from a prominent professional support group. This accentuates what NIH
and Alz.Assoc is saying contrarily. Even more than this it gives some equal
emphasis to caring for those of us with the disease and our effected loved
ones. This is so sorely needed and so overlooked in the U.S.
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