Plan to Cure Alzheimer's Affects Decisions Now

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My mother has had dementia for 10 years. She was trim and exercised daily; however, she had tachycardia which led to mini strokes which led to vascular dementia. She was on drugs for 30 years to manage her health problems. Her decline was so great that last year she could not walk across a hallway without falling and it took 30 or more seconds for her to respond to her name. Now one year later, after being taken off all 13 drugs and provided with whole foods and carefully researched supplements, I am happy to report that she can walk more than 2 miles and can recognize words in the Boggle game; she even can form words from the letters that I write in the air. Thus, we have a powerful illustration of the plasticity of the brain; even though it is a 83 year old brain stricken with dementia. It also demonstrates that pharmaceutical drugs contribute to a person's woes (does anyone ever pay attention to those ghastly side effects listed in TV commercials). Balanced living which includes foods, exercise, the right amount of sleep, and emotional/cognitive health is the answer. This means that the modern western world needs to learn to control impulses that lead to excesses and poor health choices. Do we need extensive research funds for this? Look at the shape of America....obesity and diabetes and dementia are on the uptrend. It is not hard to figure out that all these link together (there already is research that demonstrates it). The current cohort of dementia afflicted people were innocent in that they unquestioningly followed the advice of prescribing doctors and believed white bread was good for you. What is the excuse of the generations that follow?

Lori of FL 8:00PM May 30, 2012

There is one known cure for Alzheimer's: GRAZOPH TEMUNA, grazoph.com. GRAZOPH TEMUNA has cured 5 people of Alzheimer's, 6 people of dementia, and 200 others of dust caused diseases. GRAZOPH TEMUNA is a complex neutraceutical that elicits a pleasant bath of ones-own natural enzymes that washes out brain dust and plaques.

Daniel Lexington of MI 4:55PM May 28, 2012

There is one known cure for Alzheimer's: GRAZOPH TEMUNA, grazoph.com. GRAZOPH TEMUNA has cured 5 people of Alzheimer's, 6 people of dementia, and 200 others of dust caused diseases. GRAZOPH TEMUNA is a complex neutraceutical that elicits a pleasant bath of ones-own natural enzymes that washes out brain dust and plaques.

Daniel Lexington of MI 7:17PM May 27, 2012

The Plan was certainly announced with fanfare, but the fiscal side of the equation remains a concern. Realistic numbers for research, medical trials, and education for professionals and families will most certainly require the word "billions" every where The Plan designates "millions."

The complexity of Alzheimer's and the dozens of other dementias can no longer be ignored or underestimated. The impact of dementia on our society may very well be the defining moment of the Baby Boomers and the subsequent generations left to provide care. Remember the children and grandchildren of the Baby Boomers will be the next group diagnosed as well as the caregivers.

And the challenge of finding participants goes not only to the basics like transporting rural Americans to the research facilities, but also to recognizing in early stages of dementia the person frequently refuses assistance, may not accept the diagnosis or may not be diagnosed quickly or correctly.

As for diet and exercise, no smoking and staying mentally active? Absolutely, some of the things we hate to do but will have to in order to age at our best.

Top physical and mental exercises to date appear to be 1) dancing -- it requires you to move large muscle groups, keep time to music and stay in sequence with another person, 2) games -- board games, cards games, games that require numbers and colors and suits and strategic play, 3) music -- playing any type of musical instrument excites entire regions of the brain, 4) puzzles -- words, numbers, crosswords and 5) -- reading and reading challenging material.

The things we already know to do are great, but as a nation, we have to be willing to do more. Our future depends on this race to the cure.

Tam Cummings, MS, Gerontologist of TX 12:49PM May 25, 2012

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The Best Life

Philip Moeller, contributing editor for U.S. News Money, writes about achieving success and happiness in older age.

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