Please share your voice- National Alzheimer's Plan
by Alice Tease on 08/11/11
If you have witnessed a loved one's mind become ravaged by Alzheimer's Disease, please share your input on how you'd like the government to focus it's energies under the National Alzheimer's Plan. Personally, I would like the National Alzheimer's plan to focus much of its energy and funding on research to find a cure for this mind robbing disease.
As someone who took care of their grandmother and watched this unyielding disease clench it's hold around her - I can tell you it is the most horrific thing I have ever witnessed.
People treat people with Alzheimer's as if they were no longer human, just empty shells. Many people just assume that since the person doesn't recognize them, that nothing they contribute will make a difference. Eventually, an Alzheimer's patient needs 24 hour care. For two years, I cared for my grandmother in her home--but due to financial reasons the power of attorney decided to move her into a facility.
Horrible abuse runs rampant in nursing facilities, and people often abuse power of attorney for their own personal gain. When reports are made to agencies such as the Department of Aging and Disabilities services and the investigators have to speak to the power of attorney which is abusing said power, the Alzheimer's patient's needs and care are very easily undermined.
Therefore the answer is not just simply increased spending towards these facilities---even the best of which often simply do not have the manpower to care for an Alzheimer's patient as a loved one providing care can--but to increase the spending on research.
Ultimately, if a cure is not found for this disease it will become a global epidemic. Alzheimer's disease did not receive as much attention as other diseases in previous years, because there is no such thing as a Alzheimer's "survivor" who can stand before the lawmakers and give testimony. And the caregivers can't do it either--literally your entire personal and professional life is on hold while you provide care to a loved one with Alzheimer's.
A cure must be found, otherwise this disease will bankrupt the entire health care system, and cause further devastation to the American workforce. But the worst is the agony of watching this horrible disease slowly kill the person you love while it steals their own recollection of who they are.
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