JOAN’S UPDATE – THURSDAY/FRIDAY, MAY 15/16, 2008 – INFORMATION FROM THE WASHINGTON DC TRIP

 JOAN AND TONY GO TO WASHINGTON!

This is just a quick update on my Washington DC trip. Please make sure to check back later in the afternoon for a complete Blog.

What I learned and what I will discuss in my upcoming Blogs:

#1. Alzheimer’s Disease – misunderstood as a memory disorder – no real understanding of it as a total brain disease, how it really affects the patient, and the emotional impact it has on families and spouses. There was a glimmer of understanding in Senator Martinez’s aide when I talked about the impact the disease has on spouses. He (who was about 23 years old) said that his grandfather had AD, and he saw some of what I was talking about in what his grandmother went through.

#2. NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING works to get people’s attention like your own personal story.

 #3. If we want help with funding for programs, services, and research money, each and everyone of us is going to have to work our individual tails off for it.

 #4. EOAD- no awareness; misunderstood; ignored. Tony is doing a great job in bringing this issue to the forefront.

Be sure to tune in later for much more!

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com