Alzheimer's: If my Dad has it, will I get it?

The Bright Side

While visiting Dad today, he bragged to the nurse, "This is my daughter." The nurse said she thought so, as I had his eyes. Dad's reply surprised me and made me smile. He said, "She has my eyes?" Then looking at me, he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "It makes it hard for me to see if you have my eyes!" We all got a laugh out of that.

Dad's memory and recognition of those near to him slips further away each day. But the amazing thing is that it is being augmented by a childlike sense of humor. One thing you should know, throughout my life, I've never known my dad to have a sense of humor. He was always very much the English/Irish stiff-upper-lip type. This new development has taken us (my Mom and myself) completely by surprise. Mom keeps muttering, whenever I comment on it, "I keep telling you he never had a sense of humor!" She is quite baffled, I on the other hand, am quite pleased with this development.

Who are its victims?
The generation Alzheimers is currently affecting are the parents of the "baby boomers". Their goals in life were to raise a family and support them well. Most are not college educated or professional in their careers. They thought if they had a little savings in the bank and their homes paid for when they retired they would be doing fine. Mention depression to them and they will tell you about the 1920's. This mysterious illness is the plague for which they are not prepared. It slips up on you without your knowledge and robs you of your present while clouding your past until it is unregonizable.

What is the current treatment for patients?
Many of those diagnosed are being treated with new medications thought to slow the progression of the disease, and if nothing else, buy them time. Aricept is a common drug used fro treatment and the one being used on Dad. He has been taking it for the last 6 years and his dosage was recently increased. Another new drug is Ebixa, I don't know much about it, that's my current project to find out more. Unfortunatley, those who experience the early signs of confusion, forgetfullness and disorientation, will often ignore these signals for fear of the diagnosis. It is often up to loved ones to recognize the signs and encourage diagnosis and treatement.

What is the current treatment for caregivers?
We talk a lot to each other. There are support web sites where those in this role can gain input from others who have and are dealing with similar issues and questions. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone in this journey can help.

Will I get it?
Final answer: Unknown. Progress in research,treatment, and the causes of Alzheimers is ongoing. So far, all they know, is that they don't know. This disease is stealthy in its approach and on-set. I can only hope that for me or my children the continued research will result in an effective treatment and a cure will be found.