What some of us may not know is that by mid-century The Alzheimer''s Association predicts that 1 in 8 people will be afflicted with Alzheimer''s disease. In general, most healthy Americans know two things about Alzheimer''s disease. We know it is a debilitating disease with no cure, and we know that memory loss is a common symptom. However, an enormous amount of research and new learning has been chieved in the last decade, we now recognize several risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting Alzheimer''s disease. Some well-established risk factors are cardiovascular conditions, (obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure).
Diabetes, (especially when poorly controlled). Substance abuse and heavy smoking. The best news is that there are also some manageable factors that reduce your risk for Alzheimer''s disease including proper diet, physical activity, and ongoing social and intellectual engagement. As suggested by the Alzheimer''s Association, awareness and education are critical components of an effective strategy for maintaining a healthy brain through risk factor management. Second, while the sacrifices involved with being a volunteer can be inconvenient and time consuming, volunteers are important to keep the wheels of science moving.
One of the challenges preventing faster progress in understanding Alzheimer''s disease is the availability of subjects who volunteer for research studies. In this highly active field here are studies that require healthy adults who do not have Alzheimer''s, others that seek adults with various levels of memory loss, and still other studies enrolling subjects who have been diagnosed with the disease. Participating in a study is a commitment to pursue a regular regimen of therapy and a closely monitored protocol of care.
However, it is also a commitment by the investigating physician to provide a defined level of care, which is in many cases, a higher level of care than you might get from your usual physician. Volunteers are needed for clinical trials for the ongoing testing of new drugs being developed that would delay the onset of Alzheimer''s disease by five years which would significantly result in an immediate and long-lasting reduction in the number of Americans with this condition and the cost of their care. The Alzheimer''s Association is the world''s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer''s care, support and research.
As a clinical study volunteer we would Join their mission to eliminate Alzheimer''s disease through advancement of esearch. Last, and most important while the cost of research, can pose a significant challenge to researchers, we must remember research is necessary if we are to find ways to delay or ultimately cure Alzheimer''s disease. Alzheimer''s not only government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Total costs of care for individuals with Alzheimer''s disease by all payers will soar from $172 billion in 2010 to more than $1 trillion in 2050, according to the Alzheimer''s Association.
Funding for research s provided by the Alzheimer''s Association and other major research organizations such as the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Alzheimer''s Research Institute. We can make a difference by donating or participating in fund raising events that benefit Alzheimer''s research. In conclusion, more healthy Americans should support the Alzheimer''s Association. Finding a cure for Alzheimer''s requires research, research requires funding and volunteers. The Alzheimer''s Association is healthy Americans volunteering and donating time and money for the cure of Alzheimer''s disease.
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