When I developed the “Help and Hope” category for this blog, I may have been too optimistic.  Research and policy breakthroughs are few and far between.  However, I’ve concluded that updates and progress reports serve a purpose.  Information can spur us to appropriate action as well as engender cause for being hopeful.  We need not wait for dramatic breakthroughs to report hopeful progress, or even startling facts about the disease.

In 2008 the Alzheimer’s Association released the information that someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 71 seconds.  It is now cited as the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.  This fact will steepen the trajectory of an already burgeoning population of loved ones with the disease.  Projections now are that the number of persons with Alzheimer’s will almost triple by 2050 to 11-16 million unless more effective treatments are found. 

Following are summary statements of work in progress on vital areas of diagnosis, caregiving, and treatment. 

1.      Several clinical research programs are under way focusing on strategies for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.  A promising area of research includes exploring how technology (computers, monitoring devices, and other electronics) can be effective in the broad range of needs produced by Alzheimer’s.  Watch for news in this area. 

2.      Research continues enthusiastically on drug therapy to enable earlier detection and to slow the progression of the disease, although some of the results hoped for in 2009 were not realized.  The strong focus now on targeting the causes (e.g. plaque build-up) is encouraging. Frequently volunteers are requested for clinical trials.  This would be a service with enormous rewards for patients and their families.  Reported in January 4,2010 BusinessWeek is Pfizer’s work on 14 different treatments for Alzheimer’s.  If even one is successful, we can be grateful. 

3.      Several states have in place or are considering alert systems to help find and recover seniors who wander away from home.  This phenomenon is expected to increase with the growth of the Alzheimer’s population.  Law-makers need assurance that such an alert and recovery system will not be broadly abused, thus creating an excessive drain on local and state resources.  (The Tennessean, March 17,2009) 

4.      The systems now in use are varied in their features and their names, though they resemble the well known Amber Alert System for finding lost children.  (Examples of various names are Silver Alert, Endangered Persons Advisory, and Maddie’s Call.)  Strong appeals are being voiced by advocates for a coordinated system, which is effective but “rare enough to get attention.” You can check with your local Alzheimer’s Association to learn about the status of such systems in your area.

5.      Efforts are underway to eliminate the two year waiting period for Medicare for persons with disabilities.  As usual legislation moves slowly, but this adjustment would be a huge benefit to families already strained by the costs of chronic illness or disability.

6.      The Alzheimer’s Association reports that “congress has extended a great planned giving opportunity :  the IRA Charitable Rollover. “  This rule allows IRA owners 70 ? or older to make direct transfer to charities -- such as the Alzheimer’s Association -- up to $100,000 a year.  The executive director of the Mid-South chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association emphasizes a transfer of funds to a charity must be made by the IRA custodian, not the IRA owner.  Check for the status of this law for 2010. 

Let’s contact lawmakers when opportunities arise and be proactive in supporting solid research and legislation.  Together, we can help keep hope alive.