Progress…

27 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Pharma, Prevention, Research

This evening, I ran across this Huffington Post article and thought it worth sharing. Does Alzheimer’s Have to Bankrupt Us? was published earlier this week, as the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference was held in Vancouver.

Michael Hodin is the Executive Director of the Global Coalition on Aging, and he offers some stunning facts around the cost of Alzheimer’s, as well as the hope that today’s research offers.

Did you know that the total costs related to Alzheimer’s are currently a whopping 1% of global GDP? That’s certainly nothing to sneeze at, nor is the fact that right now, there are over 35 million people living with this disease worldwide. The projections for 2030 and 2050 are 65 million and 115 million, respectively, which I find astounding.

On the bright side, continuing research is yielding some positive results. We’re learning more and more about factors that seem to contribute to the disease, and with that we can begin to take steps toward prevention. Perhaps most interesting is the research related to Souvenaid, described as “a nutrient mixture that promotes new connections between brain cells.” Several clinical trials have already been conducted or are underway, and that’s certainly a huge step in the right direction.

Ultimately, meetings like the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference are signs that the worldwide spotlight is beginning to shine on this disease, and that alone brings us hope where there once was none.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hodin/alzheimers_b_1694309.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Easy come, easy go…

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Eason House, Mom, Research, Ruminations

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Mother’s Day 2011

So, the stretch of really good days came and went, and now we’re just somewhere in the middle… not great, but could be worse. When I stopped to see Mom after work tonight, they said she’d been up since midnight, which would explain why she could barely keep her eyes open.

Although she wasn’t very interested in dinner, I did get her to eat almost everything on her plate. She was really quiet, though. Nonverbal, which is so odd for her. Aside from the big smile that lit up her face when I came in, she was mostly expressionless. I think I hate this almost as much as the explosive outbursts.

Speaking of outbursts, it seems over the past week, she’s gotten angry enough to slap several of the girls – hard – across the face. Ah, that just makes me cringe. She has the best caregivers in the world, literally, and they don’t get paid enough to put up with most of what they have to deal with (did I mention Mom also showered one of the girls with her applesauce this morning…). Thank God there are people like the amazing caregivers at Eason House, who certainly don’t do what they do for the money. To say they are a blessing would be a gross understatement. There has to be a very special gathering spot in Heaven for each and every one of them.

As I sat there feeding Mom tonight, I had one of “those moments.” The surreal moments where I’m mystically transported, and suddenly I’m on the outside looking in. I stand back and take in the scene before me, and just can’t believe this has become our reality. By now, none of this should be shocking, but it is at times. It truly is shocking. Perhaps it will always be that way. Perhaps I should stop letting that surprise me.

What can we do, but continue to take things one day at a time and avoid falling into the trap of worrying and wondering what tomorrow, next month, and next year hold. We try to focus on the moments of joy and the fact that one day, there will be a viable treatment and even a cure. It may not come in my lifetime, but it will come. Studies like this one from Iceland, where researchers have identified a rare genetic mutation that appears to protect against Alzheimer’s; someday the world will know the benefits of research that takes place every single day, across the globe.

So, our visit ended after Mom finished her dessert. I walked her over to the couch, and covered her up with her favorite blanket (Steelers, of course!). I put my arms around her and she fell into a peaceful sleep… Sweet dreams… ♥

National Alzheimer’s Plan: A huge step in the right direction.

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Ann Napoletan in NAPA, Research

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Today, the Obama Administration finalized the first ever national strategy on Alzheimer’s and associated dementias. You can read more about the historic National Alzheimer’s Plan in this USA Today article –> Clock Ticking With New Plan to Fight Alzheimer’s.

What a massive step toward putting forth the resources necessary for major research projects and also to help families currently dealing with the disease – right here, right now. The strategy puts a timeline around finding effective treatments and will shine a spotlight on our fight against Alzheimer’s like never before.

Thanks to research, great advances have been made in treating cancer, and perhaps we are nearing a day when the same will be true for this disease that robs so many people of their so-called golden years, and robs us of our parents, grandparents, spouses, and other family members and friends.

Initially, the plan calls for:

An $8 million study around an insulin nasal spray shown to be a potentially viable treatment for ALZ.
A $16 million contribution to an international study examining whether early treatment of amyloid (brain plaque) could head off the disease.
Government funded training for physicians and other medical professionals, focusing on effective ways to care for ALZ patients and their families.

In concert with National Alzheimer’s Plan, a new website has been established to provide “one-stop shopping” related to research, care, treatment, and community resources. At first blush, this appears to be a fabulous tool for caregivers, so please share the URL with anyone who might need it.

Here’s to a light at the end of the tunnel… It may still be a very dim light, but it’s a light nonetheless. We’ll continue to keep the faith, spread the word, and watch things unfold over the next few years.

If you’d like to read the National Alzheimer’s Plan in its entirety, it can be found here.

Until next time… Carpe diem…