People with Early Stage Alzheimer's Are Forming an Association

Recently, a group of people who have early stages of Alzheimer's Disease started an association. They want to be heard just as the cancer association, heart association or any group associated with a health problem. This group was started by Richard Taylor, a man who has had Alzheimer's for 6 years. He refuses to sit around waiting for the incurable brain disease to crash down on his life. These early-stage patients in this group range in age from 40 to 80. They have a very strong desire to be heard like other activists. They want to talk openly about the stigma the disease carries and other problems that they face. They are demanding services.

The Alzheimer's Association plan to hold the first of a series of town hall meetings in Oakland to allow people in the early stages to discuss their concerns. Among the topics will be: Delays in diagnosis, How to cope with the progressive loss of mental ability, Legal questions, and Stigma.

Richard Taylor a former psychologist, is very much involved in this group. He has written a book, "Alzheimer's From the Inside Out." He writes about his memory loss and his insight and compassion. Because of this tragedy, he had to retire from his profession.

Alzheimer's has been in the news more than ever lately. Why? Because there is concern as to how this disease is affecting more and more people. The population having this horrifying disease is increasing. Also it is reported that those who have this disease are younger now than it has been in prior years. Statistics show that of the 5 million people in the USA with Alzheimer's, about half are in the early stage of the disease.

When my family and I realized that my sister had this incurable brain disease four years ago, I became very distressed over this fact. Although she still recognizes most people, she is not the same sis that I had known for many years. I can no longer have the same relationship with her that I was used to having. Our communication and comradeship has evaporated. I had become devastated, but I decided that I can't let my devastation destroy me, or cause me to worry that I may get the disease myself. I want to try and do something about it.

I am now involved in reading more about the subject, and trying to get as much information about it as I can.

Although I don't have Alzheimer's, I want to help out in forming this new association. Unfortunately, at the present, there is no cure for Alzheimer's. However, there are drugs that help delay its progression in the early stages. Researchers are hoping to find a way to prevent it by developing a vaccine. They are now making progress on experimental compounds that can dissolve the deposits that have formed in the brain that is causing the memory loss and other abnormal behavior patterns.

On the positive side of this issue, neurologists,, scientists, and social workers will tell you that just because someone may be a little forgetful about certain things, such as forgetting where they placed their car keys, or forgetting names, this does not mean they have Alzheimer's. This type of forgetfulness can happen to anyone. It is true, that older people may not have the same memory they had when they were younger, but this is no cause for alarm. If you have doubts about your memory loss, a brain scan can indicate whether a person has Alzheimer's or not. Some doctors feel that it might be a good idea for such a scan in case an individual does have the disease . This can help the family prepare for the care of their loved one.

Researchers believe Alzheimer's dwells in the brain for decades before actual diagnosis is made. They say that it can take 10 years for it to progress from forgetfulness to the final stages. It can come on very slowly in some cases. Hopefully, just as the Aide's Ass. Is making progress, the new Alzheimer's group can do the same.