New Alzheimer’s research: heredity and stress

Researchers at Duke, Johns Hopkins and Utah State Universities have recently released data showing that caregivers of dementia patients are six times more likely to develop the disease themselves.

The common scenario is that of a spouse who becomes caregiver to his or her afflicted partner.

In many families, the caregiver spouse receives much less attention from their family than the afflicted spouse. Over time, perhaps as a result of the stress, the caregiver deteriorates without anyone noticing.

The U.S. Alzheimer’s Association is spending research money partly on helping caregivers in their efforts.

Researchers at Stanford University are also developing an app that will provide quick answers to families’ questions. The Association warns families to try and get a diagnosis so that, at an early stage, they can put support systems in place.

I’m sure the situation is similar here in B.C.

This ad ran in the Richmond Review on July 10, 2015.