The odds are pretty good that you have a close friend or relative who suffered from Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, the odds are also good that unless they find a cure soon, you and I have to worry about the disease too. Until they find a cure, age is the number one cause of Alzheimer's. Today, 47% of your neighbors over age 85 are afflicted with the disease. Although it afflicts only 10% of those at age 65, that risk increases with each additional year of age, until it reaches that 47% by age 85. In Pennsylvania alone our population of seniors is expected to double by the year 2030 That means we might expect to see millions in our state afflicted by Alzheimer's, compared to the 280,000 cases of Alzheimer's today. This translates into a significant number of seniors who wander from their home, and a lot of unpaid care-giving by relatives of the seniors.
However, current research has made headway into finding a cure. Right now there are drugs that might temporarily restore functioning of someone with Alzheimer's even though there is no way of reversing or preventing the disease. Recent studies have found genetic markers and life habits associated with the disease, but much more research is needed.
As an Elder Law attorney, I am very familiar with the Alzheimer's Association. They not only help my clients by advancing research to end Alzheimer's and dementia, but they also work to enhance care for those living with the disease. Thanks to their research, caregivers get insight into how to structure a living area to minimize agitation, discomfort and falls of one afflicted with the disease. The Alzheimer's Association also helps organize support groups for caregivers.
As for the walk on Sunday, I am walking on the Miller Men Team. I found it too difficult to choose between the National Academy of Elder Lawyers team, and the many local teams sponsored by many of our local care providers on the Main Line. I choose to walk on a team in honor of personal friends.
Go here to donate in the name of a loved one and sponsor my walk. If you do, please send me an email at the address on the bottom of this post, telling me the name you want to be placed on my walking shirt. I'll also share with you, pictures I take during the walk by posting them on Picassa or YouTube and sending you the link.
I understand some readers might be reluctant to sponsor a lawyer, and that's okay too. My wife, a gerontological nurse practitioner is also on our team. If you are reading this and you are on a team who will be participating in the Walk next Sunday, then add a comment letting readers know about your team and how people can help sponsor your walk.
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Stay well until the next post.
Bob Gasparro
Bob Gasparro is an Elder Attorney. He can be reached at Robert.Gasparro@lifespanlegal.com or (484) 297-2050. Comments to this post, and ideas for future posts are welcome.
