Share your ideas

I believe the healthcare reform is a great opportunity to re-evaluate the systems currently in place for elderly patients with Alzheimer's Disease and the families struggling to support them. Being the primary caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer's is the hardest thing a lot of people will ever have to do. I believe there are certain steps the government can take to alleviate the pressures of this heartbreaking disease. Simple steps to improve measurements already in place like issuing ID bracelets to all Alzheimer's patients or providing in-home nurses a few times a week will help improve the safety of the patient and the well-being of the families who are dealing with the disintegration of a person they love. I hope we soon have details on how the reform will help the growing number of people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Dana Travis 09/21/2009 12:16:51 PM

I couldn't agree more! Anyone that has dealt with this disease knows how incredibly difficult it is and how very little help and medical support there is out there for those suffering with the disease and their families. I helped care for my grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimers for more than 15 years. That's a very long time to deal with each phase and find ways to care for someone with this disease safely and independently... until that option isn't an option any longer. And only because my family could afford care and support for us in varied ways were we able to manage her disease safely, with as much dignity as the disease will allow, and not because the system did.