Thoughts on the Memory Loss Conference at UNCG
Yesterday spent a roller-coaster of a day at the Living Well with Memory Loss conference sponsored by the dynamically impressive Dr. Linda Buettner at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It felt a little like trying to take a drink from a fire hydrant: so much energy, enthusiasm and expertise compressed into so little time and space. But worth it!
Noteworthy things that come to mind immediately: the incredible competence and passion with issue has ignited in presenters and audience alike. Almost everyone I heard (in the audience) admitted to having a direct personal connection to this disease and yet a powerful presentation was on the stigma felt by people with dementia and their caregivers; the fact that drug treatments can slow progression and that non-pharmacological treatments do exist and yet most people diagnosed with dementia do learn receive information about complementary therapies at the time of diagnosis. And there’s more…
The Challenges of Early Stage Dementia
The American Society on Aging’s Aging Today might be published bi-monthly but that doesn’t mean I read it as often or as thoroughly as it deserves. Hence I was struck this week by an article on Early Stage Dementia that provokes more questions and challenges than answers and solutions (unfortunately this isn’t an article that is available to non-subscribers on their web-site). The point that hit me is that, as a result of improved science and medical technologies, we can diagnose dementia earlier and there are some medical interventions that reduce symptoms. What hasn’t caught up is the social, the practical, networks to assist people, their families, and caregivers with this burdensome future. The Alzheimer’s Association, the article reckons, is generally ill-equipped to offer assistance, although a few chapters are beginning support and educational programs. But not enough. The painful irony is that people with a diagnosis of early-stage dementia are far more capable that our system is capable. And what an irony that is.
leave a comment