Alzheimer’s Audio & Video
We like to shy away from covering news because many others are great at covering what’s new, and instead try to focus on practical tips, advice and ‘how to’ information. This post is a bit of a cheat. While there are threads of tips and advice in these resources, we wanted to cover them because they’re so good and all come around the release of the The Report of the Alzheimer’s Study Group (PDF). Some of it is touching and much of it is hopeful. So forgive us if we stray a bit from our editorial mission.
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Surgeon General David Satcher are on a task force studying the disease, which may overwhelm the U.S. health care system as baby boomers age, and talk about it on NPR’s Talk of the Nation.
You can try to download the MP3 here, but there’s no telling how long it will be available.
Speaking of Faith, an excellent American Public Media program, in their characteristically thorough fashion covers Alzheimer’s in their minisite called, Alzheimer’s, Memory, and Being.
Alzheimer’s disease has been described as “the great unlearning,” a “disease of memory,” a “demise of consciousness.” But what does it reveal about the nature of human identity? What remains when memory unravels? And how might such insights help Alzheimer’s sufferers themselves?
One of the most poignant moments was when psychologist Dr. Alan Dienstag talks about a woman who, upon visiting her husband who had Alzheimer’s, would always ask if he remembered her and was distressed when he didn’t. Dr. Dienstag suggested that she look for other signs of recognition. Yet, she persisted in asking. One day her husband responded in a most direct way by saying that he didn’t, but that he knew he loved her.
ABC’s Nightline talks about the statistics (1 in 7 will get Alzheimer’s by 65, and 1 in 2 by 85) and encourages people to get tested. The lead reporter, Terry Moran and Alzheimer’s activist, Meryl Comer, get’s their DNA test results on the show.
Dr. Steven Dekosky notes, “As we speak, there are some drugs, the drugs developed several years ago that are symptomatic drugs for the disorder, and probably 100 medications in various stages of development that are targeted specifically at the disease itself.”
You can watch the video here, or read the transcript here.
Related Links:
- Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures – A new report (PDF)
- Caregivers Struggle with Needs of Alzheimer’s Patients – with Meryl Comer – PBS audio & video
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