Alzheimer's Disease Calls For Attention

The recent World Alzheimer's Day has been feeding news on the media about new therapies

, physiological research results, statistics, the work of associations, the worry of governments. Attention! Alzheimer plods on. Our body, including our brain, was not designed to live forever.

This is the most common of several dementia that develop with age. Like all dementias, it is very tough on the person who suffers from it, especially in its onset, when patients are aware that they are losing skills, memory and independence, still more in early cases or especially active people, who notice that their cognitive issues have undesirable consequences over their daily life and relationships. And it is very tough on caregivers, who see how their beloved ones slowly lose contact with the world and themselves, and have to face the enormous cost of taking care of their progressively impaired elders or peers.

Alzheimer has no cure. Loads of research address its possible etiology, risk factors, protective factors, physiological basis, enhancement of available therapies, development of new treatments, best practices in caregiving, etc. focused on Alzheimer. One of the most pressing topics is, in my opinion, "how are we going to live"? Most people in developed countries manage to lead "average lives" with the usual means of subsistance -yes, a job. What happens when one of your parents or the person you live with starts showing dementia symptoms? What will happen when me or you are diagnosed with dementia?

There are clearly not enough resources, and the burden keeps falling mainly on the shoulders and hearts (and pockets) of family members. In a few years, this can turn their financial and personal situation into a very difficult one -this is so true, that many develop depression, fall ill and have frequent suicidal ideas. Health professionals work to keep us alive because that is their job. But, after knowing personally and directly the situation of some families hit by Alzheimer, I really wonder if we should not be rather dedicating some resources to seriously promote more social debate on euthanasia.

I know this sort of statement is never welcome. It sounds not hopeful enough! Well, I do hope research finds an effective treatment, I do hope national health systems find a solution to the big problem they are facing, and I sincerely hope that we all learn the best ways to take care of our Alzheimer patients (and to support their caregivers). But many of the persons I met directly involved in taking care of their relatives with Alzheimer have had a legal paper made stating that they do not wish to be kept alive artificially. Life is ok, life can be great, even extatic and unimaginably wonderful, yes- but maybe we should learn to look death in the eye, too.

by: Maria Gonzales

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