Did you take your medicine? What’s my name? Where did you place your keys?
Have you ever asked these simple questions of a loved one or a friend and had your fears confirmed that they are in the early stages of dementia or memory loss? You realize they are no longer the person they once were. Across this nation and worldwide, many families are facing the realization that someone close to them — a once vibrant and individual full of life has slipped into what we now know as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
In July of this year, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, along with fellow billionaire Leonard Lauder, the Dolby family, and the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation announced a new partnership. Together, they have committed to contributing more than $30 million over the next three years to collaborate with the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. Their contribution will be used to launch the Diagnostics Accelerator, a fund geared toward developing new biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
In this edition of Our Health Matters, we explain what Alzheimer’s disease is, share the latest news in the progress to find a cure and provide support resources to families and caregivers. When it’s time to travel, we offer tips on traveling with someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and report on new medicines being prescribed to slow the effect of the disease and memory loss.
Remember, memories can last a lifetime, no matter what life brings. I encourage everyone to live life to the fullest.
Ruth Ramsey, Publisher and CEO
