Miscellaneous Monday: Alzheimer's Day !!!

[Vronik]

This past Saturday, September 21, was World Alzheimer's Day and I have experienced first-hand the devastating effects that this disease has on family members. I wanted to ask you: Do you think that society is making an effort to study this type of disease in order to find a cure?

Bruce Willis comes to mind, he is the last actor who has had to retire from his career because of a brain disease, but I also remember Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Robin Williams, Charles Bronson, Sean Connery and many more.

I think that it is a terrible disease that is making a strong impact in this 21st century and it is worth stopping to look for effective solutions that help the sick and their families to deal with it with more hope.

What do you think?

(Thanks to @Andy Gladstone for giving me this opportunity to bring a topic of reflection to the Atlassian community!) 

Greetings to all !!! ;o)

[Andy Gladstone]

@Vronik thank you for this reminder about a disease that has impacted so many of us. "The Long Goodbye" is something that has affected my family directly. Knowing that someone who has lived a full life is slipping further away each day and watching it happen is devastating. In my experiences I have seen how common names, faces and memories slowly disappeared from family members, yet stimuli like music or movies seem to bring them back. It's disturbing and fascinating. As science continues to evolve I truly hope that a cure for this neurological menace will be found to spare those that are stricken by it and those that are helpless and along for the ride.

[Sherilyn Tasker]

I did read some positive research news the other day out of Australia:  https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/finger-prick-test-could-screen-for-early-alzheimers

[Barbara Szczesniak]

@Sherilyn Tasker Thank you for sharing this hopeful news.

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

@Vronik Thank you for this topic.  It's something I always forget about but it has effected my family.

[Amanda Barber]

As a volunteer for the local Alzheimer's Association, I appreciate you bringing up this topic. Last weekend, we participated in our local fundraising walk, and this summer I coordinated a fundraiser for an event called The Longest Day.

I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer's disease, so it's a topic I am passionate about. 

For some good news, there is a recently approved drug now to treat mild Alzheimer's!

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-treatment-adults-alzheimers-disease

If you're in the United States, I'd recommend using the Alzheimer's Association as a resource. Their 24/7 helpline is a lifesaver - 

https://www.alz.org/