I am always deeply saddened when I learn of yet another diagnosed case of Alzheimer's. There are no "good" diseases, but Alzheimer's is insidious. My Mother was diagnosed with it in 1998. She passed away in 2007.
As I watched the segment on Glen Campbell. I marvelled, at the power of music. I also enjoyed listening to this talented man perform with the support of his family.
The Alzheimer's epidemic has been called the "Silver Tsunami". According to the Alzheimer's Organization 5 million plus Americans have Alzheimer's today. By 2050 that number is projected to increase to 16 million. Right now 16 million Americans serve as caregivers, many are unpaid family members. By 2050 the number of people in America is expected to rise in the neighborhood of 45 million. Financially the outlook is even grimmer. This year Alzheimer's will cost our nation $183 billion dollars. By the year 2050 that cost will rise to $1 trillion dollars, bankrupting our health care system and countless families.
I recently read the blog Thirty Thousand Days, in one of the posts it said that a small tweak can create a big shift. Shortly after that I read some work by Dr Gary Small in both the Readers Digest and care ADvantage publication. The Dec 2011/Jan 201 Reader's Digest quoted Dr Small as saying,
"If everyone in the United States added just one healthy habit, it might prevent or delay a million cases of Alzheimer’s disease that would otherwise be expected to occur over five years, says psychiatrist Gary Small, MD, director of the UCLA Longevity Center. "
That phrase resonated with me. Even if the best case scenario was to postpone the onset of the disease - what a fabulous accomplishment that would be. The Alzheimer's Organization has a petition to the President http://www.alz.org/petition/ calling for a National Alzheimer's Plan. I challenge you to join me in taking action, moving from fear and denial and investing in a solution. Together we can make a big shift by taking small actions.
- Take care of your brain
- Sign the petition
Thank You,
Ruth Ferris
The last line of CBS Sunday Morning's Glen Campbell segment summed up my feelings well. He was singing Wichita Lineman and the commentator said, "His fans hope he can keep the lines open a little longer."
The last line of CBS Sunday Morning's Glen Campbell segment summed up my feelings well. He was singing Wichita Lineman and the commentator said, "His fans hope he can keep the lines open a little longer."
Posts of Interest
Dr Oz - Alzheimer's: 5 Greatest Risk Factors http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alzheimers-5-greatest-risk-factors
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-w-small-md/the-coming-epidemic-of-al_b_734226.html
Readers Digest & Dr Gary Small http://www.rd.com/health/protect-yourself-from-alzheimers-disease/
Alzheimer's Foundation http://www.alzfdn.org/?gclid=CJXwgs38mK4CFaYaQgodfB2dHg
care ADvantage publication http://www.afacareadvantage.org/
http://www.alz.org/petition/
