Although I thought your report on Alzheimer's was a good one, I do not feel it went far enough. It did not address the issue of those of us who care for Alzheimer's victims at home. I was once told that almost 30% of caregivers die before the Alzheimer's victim due to the stress of caring for our loved ones. Most caregivers are on some type of medication to deal with the stress and depression that comes with watching our loved one fade away. Alzheimers is a horrible horrible disease it destroys not only the victim, but the victims family as well. We care for our loved ones because we love them, but it is almost more debilitating for the caregiver than it is for the victim. The victim has the luxury of not knowing what is happening to them, the caregiver is more than aware of what is happening and it is heartbreaking.
Also, because our society doesn't recognize the need for physical support to help the caregiver cope, it is a very expensive illness. Agencies charge upwards of 16.00 an hour to send someone into the home to help care for an Alzheimers victim. You multiply that by 8- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it is an exorbitant amount of money, yet it is still less expensive than a skilled care facility , such as a nursing home.

As a member of the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International, I have met many people who do benefit from the cognitive drugs. In addition, people with early stage and early onset dementia benefit from the support of others struggling with dementia. We want people to know that there IS life after diagnosis, and personal growth continues to be a priority. DASN International has been helping others cope since 2000. Please visit our web site to learn more.

What a timely piece of information for my family as I sit here, writing these words, with tears running down my face. Our Dad had a memory test & MRI scan last Friday, less than a week ago, and we are incredibly anxious to hear the results from his doctor, even though we know deep in our hearts the results will be positive for early Alzeheimer's. We started suspecting Alzheimer's a year ago. My Dad still lives alone in the town he was born in and operates best in a familiar environment, while 3 of his children live out of state. Our current and future struggle is dealing with this impending situation, while we live so far away. His doctor and nurse have been wonderful and very respectful. Thank you for news piece.

After watching your piece on living with Alzheimer's Disease, I just had to respond. I feel that you are doing viewers an injustice by the "facts" you are presenting related to Alzheimer's Disease. My husband was diagnosed seven years ago at the age of 55, having experienced symptoms for at least two years prior. Based on your portrayal, he should either be near death or in a nursing home. Because we sought medical care as soon as we knew something was wrong, and because we have had the benefit of the two newest drugs to be available (my husband was in a Phase III drug study for Reminyl one month after diagnosis; we were receiving Namenda from a German pharmacy 18 months before FDA approval for sale in the US), and because we have implemented a regimen of antioxidants and other supplements, my husband is doing relatively well. He stays home by himself, safely, while I go to work every day. He showers, shaves, and dresses himself every day. He does not wander. He takes care of our dog. He has opinions about what the President does. He still plays the piano, often volunteering at an assisted living facility to entertain the elderly. We still enjoy many things together. We know others from the Alzheimer's community who are able to function similarly and have been affected for at least as long. Although we live in Florida, our doctor is in NY. He is at the forefront of research, and is working on treatments that are presenting great results. Please let your audience know that the earlier they know (and the patient should always be told), the earlier they start treatment, the longer they can stave off the devastating effects of this illness. When we received this shocking diagnosis, the doctor (who we no longer see) told us there is no cure so there was not much he could tell us, and simply showed us the door. Other diagnosed patients need to know that there are treatments and there is hope that they can have more quality years than they realize.

God Bless Jim and Vicky . my mother had alzheimers
and if i get it i do want to know. people do need
to be better educated on alzheimers and how to care
for those that have it. thank you and jim for this report

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004. She does not know that she has this diagnosis but knows something is very wrong. Yesterday we saw the neurologist again and he said she must not live alone any longer.
She refuses to have anyone live with her. I will be working on this but anyone who knows her says "you have some road ahead".
She was always a miserable person, bipolar, angry etc.
When her personality began to change to the sweet disposition that she now has, i knew something was very wrong. Strange how G-d works-i finally have the Mom i always wanted and she is slipping through my fingers.
at least i can say i had it good for awhile?

I would greatly appreciate it if you can let me know what type of Doctor to go see to be diagnosed? Also, do you know of any specialist in New York City.
Thank you

Robert, Jim and Vicky should not give up on him staying at home. It is definitely more complicated with Jim being diagnosed at a such a young age. But with caregiving resources available and planning then I think he could stay at home a lot longer than two years. Yes he will lose the ability to dress himself and likely have to be prompted to go to the bathroom on a routine basis, but if Vicky has substantial help as the disease progresses, then staying at home is possible for an extended period. Yes, I was the caregiver for my mom and just dedicated myself to two things, her and work. With assistance from hospice, her doctor, and dedicated help from my brother and sister (although they were out of state) mom stayed at home through the rest of her life. We utilized a day care center while at work and mom was active enough to participate almost to the end. A factor is the basic personality remaining constant and if that holds then it is simply a life style change to adjust to the greater needs (although it is huge work), but you kind of live for the continuous moment of seeing the person react to things you know they enjoy and for as long as possible.

Humility, integrity and a tremendous trust in the goodness of people. Jim Ruppert is a hero who has and continues to make a difference in the lives of children, families in Rochester NY and now for families in communities throughout the world who struggle with Alzheimers.

Jim has been a visionary in the development of Family Life Education Counseling Support (FLECS) to help families succeed in life. Now he has turned to strength within himself and with his wife Vicki as he shares his Alzheimer's Disease journey. Jim does it so well and as he always does things...honestly, simply and with great dignity. I am a colleague and professional who has known Jim for more than twenty years. He can be only what he is... a teacher, a hero and one who lights the way for all of us.

I am struck by how common Alzheimers is. My mother and my mother-in-law both died from the ravages of Alzheimers, and my brother suffers from this dread disease.
I was suprised to read that Jim Ruppert feels that he has only a couple of years left in his home. My brother was diagnosed 9 years ago at the age of 61. He still functions quite well; he still drives, is active in his church, and does a variety of household maintanence. He has been on Aricpcept for years and added another of the drugs more recently. I realize that everyone progresses at their own speed. My mother was diagnosed three years before she needed to move in with me but remained physically (though not mentally) active for another 10 years. Oh the other hand, my mother-in-law became incapaciated within a couple of years but lived an additional 10 years with no quality of life.

At fifty nine, I am concerned (scared?)but won't choose to be tested for that horrible disease.

I think the media should also focus on the ages of many people now being diagnosed in their 30's & 40's to help remove the stigma that Alzheimers is an "old" person's disease as it is not. This disease has no boundaries as it can happen to anyone at anytime. I was diagnosed in Aug. 2002, I was only 38.

I am incensed that the doctors on Monday night's report on Alzheimer's disease sat at that discussion table and talked about when, or even if, they should tell their patients that they have the disease. I would think that it should be a patient's right to know how to approach the rest of their life. It is, in my opinion, the physician's job to diagnose the disease and treat the patient accordingly....Not to play God! How can a person participate in their treatment and plan the balance of their life if they are not informed?

I found this story very heartbreaking and insightful. I have had 2 parents and 1 grandparent diagnosed with alzheimers. My dad had alzheimers at age 55 his father at 58. It is the saddest of all diseases as you watch their death everyday for several years. I am 58 and at that age my dad was already severly affected. Hopefully new traetments are on the horizon. I hope in my lifetime it will be treatable.

Mr Bezell, Has the Doctors ever made a connection between Alztheimer's and Add. I believe there maybe one. In Alztheimer's it robs you of memory, and in ADD it won't let you rember. I am not a Doctor, just a man with a thought,and ADD

I was very interested to see your piece on Alzheimer's Disease and how Mr. Jim Ruppert and his wife Vicky are dealing with it.

My mother-in-law is much like Mr. Ruppert...highly intelligent (possesses a PHD), and very proactive in her treatment. My father-in-law is a retired psychologist who has made it his mission to treat his wife with the utmost of respect and loving care. Their's is truly a love story. I thought my mother-in-law was an enigma, but hearing Mr. Ruppert and his wife speak of the progression of Alzheimer's in his life, I think there really is something to the coping skills and exercises my in-laws practice. I believe it has kept my mother-in-law in the early stages much longer than normal.