If people living with Alzheimer's were to read only the press releases and web sites of researchers, news magazines, and even our own National Alzheimer's Association, they would be convinced that we were on the verge of a gigantic medical breakthrough. Headlines suggest that research is two-thirds the way to completing the bridge linking us to "a world without Alzheimer's disease," and there are things we can eat, drink, do and play to retain healthy minds - or at least free ourselves from the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Should I have eaten more broccoli when I was young or used more curry powder in my cooking as an adult? Should I have focused more on playing games on my computer? Was there something that I could have done that could have redirected me from the path leading to Alzheimer's disease? Is there now something that I can still do to cure or stop my Alzheimer's disease?
The real answer remains, "No." Get it leaders - "No" -- "Not yet" - and "No one really knows when." We all hope it will be soon, but in the meantime what is the point of these exaggerated statements and who do they actually benefit? So little has changed in the last 20 years. Wouldn't this money, time and effort better serve the people who have the disease?
I'm all for research, but not research in the dark - without a unifying theory or evidence to support it. What's the plan? Who is in charge? Where are the leaders? Why do we continue to throw good money after bad? How about more training for group leaders and more staff at all levels to support people with the disease?
Thank you for providing access to the remarks of both the cheerleaders and the leaders. The self-interests of most cheerleaders are transparent to most, but seldom apparent to them. We need more responsible leaders and fewer irresponsible press releases.
Richard Taylor
