We are a close family with lots of nieces and nephews who knew my DH, their uncle, from the day they were born. We saw each other often and there have always been at least 2 or 3 family events each year. DH was the family 'fixer.' There were always cars in our driveway getting brakes, tuned, whatever, and any object that needed repair was given to him--he'd always fix it. He was well beloved and admired by all and until now, I never thought about the impact of his AD on any of them, except I do remember that some of them chose to speak at his funeral and I was surprised at some of the things they said that I had not realized they felt. He was the quintessential uncle and they all loved him. Last week there was a big family party and a niece who is a high school teacher told me that each semester she devotes one day to discussing her uncle's AD--which she saw during her early 20's, up close and personal. Her first question is to ask who knows someone or of someone w/AD, and at least 60% to 70% of the hands go up! She says most are vitally interested. I was so pleased to know she's been doing this and had never mentioned it until now--she was just doing it all on her own. Dozens and dozens of high school students are learning about AD from her and they will share with others. I just wanted you to know.
Just think..among high school students 60-70% know someone or OF someone with this. That is astounding because when I first began trying to FIND information 10 plus years ago.things were much different. Very little current information was available in 2000. Doctors were reluctant to help us because DH was 'too young' at that time (61). More and more as we are in conversation about this, we learn that what once seemed rare, is becoming all too common. TEENAGERS know or know of someone with dementia. Some have firsthand knowledge because instead of grandparents, aunts, uncles or older neighbors, it could be a PARENT! I'm glad to hear that time is given for these students to talk and to learn more. Hopefully the day will come when this can be prevented.. When there is talk about a CURE, I have to wonder..at what stage would the CURE take hold?
Years ago, the statistics were that 1/3 of Americans knew of someone w/AD. I think the % in the school might be higher because they all live in a given area and are best friend types, and so several may all well know the same AD person. Someone's g'mother has AD & all her friends know about it. Still, you are right, it's astounding.
There is a 'get healthy' program at work. Exercise, calorie counting etc. When you look at it you realize it is nothing but cardio-vascular health.
In an atempt to give balance to the program I recently gave a 20 minute lunch time presentation on dementia & cognitive health. (it affects all ages, it aint just memory, there is no cure, etc.) I ended it by giving them the SAGE test as a sample dementia evaluation and explained where and how my wife fails on it. Surprise, they loved it!
Several overworked people were relived to learn that forgetting a few details during their busy day is not AD. One woman said "That must have been why uncle acted that way before he died" I have also had 3 people come up to to discuss elder/dementia type problems they have with family members. They were so totally ignorant about dementia and thought they were alone, with no idea where to get info.
Yes, the knowledge deficit is huge. Just one person at a time and maybe we can make a difference. Jim