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    • CommentAuthorAdmin
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2013 edited
     
    I just watched this morning's Today Show segment (dvr), the first in NBC's "Age of Alzheimer's" week long special. I have to say that I was surprised and quite pleased with what I heard. Maria put it right out there - Alzheimer's Disease has a Public Relations image problem, and it needs help to change it. She and advertising executives talked about how to change the image as an old people's disease that no one cares about to one that ignites the public's interest like the Aids and cancer advocates have managed to do. It is what we here at this website have been saying for years, so it was quite refreshing to hear the "truth" from someone as influential as Maria.

    I do have one complaint, and I intend to write to NBC about it. This serious discussion was annoyingly distracted by the noise and live views of people shouting and waving signs. It was unprofessional and inappropriate. It also made it difficult to concentrate on what Maria and the reporter were saying.

    In about 1/2 an hour, NBC Nightly News is on - I will be watching to see what their Alzheimer segment is about.

    joang
    • CommentAuthorAdmin
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2013
     
    On tonight's NBC Nightly News, Maria Shriver highlighted a medical school program that pairs first year students with "mentors" - people early in the throes of Alzheimer Disease. They meet weekly (I think it's weekly) for a year, so the student is able to learn first hand how the disease affects the person with it, and how it progresses. Many of the larger universities are implementing such programs. Great idea IMHO. So many doctors do not understand the disease - I think this is a giant step forward.

    What is your opinion?

    joang
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2013
     
    Teach them early about this disease - a great idea
    • CommentAuthorbqd*
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2013
     
    Great idea, because if they have not had a relative with the disease, then they know nothing of how it affects the person with it, how it progresses, or how it affects the caregiver. I am tired of having the doctors I am dealing with for my own health tell me that my DH seems too young to have AD.
    This should be a required refresher course for all MD's that have no appreciation of the disease!
  1.  
    I watched this morning and also evening news. A great idea to help doctors understand early on in the progression but I would hope that they also get some exposure to what happens later on too. Things can get a whole lot different as the disease progresses, that seems to be where doctors I have had experience with don't always get it. My hb sees VA doctors and they change quite often. Some get it and some don't. Will be interested to see rest of the episodes also hope to see Jim's segment.
    • CommentAuthorLFL
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013
     
    Perhaps I was expecting too much, or that I am too involved with dementia to truly appreciate what was said. It seemed very fundamental to me. I do agree that Maria was frank and honest about the illness needing a PR makeover and that it also needs much more funding. I do like the program they highlighted with the medical student being paired with someone who has Alzheimers, I too think it should be required training particularly if the number of people with the disease grows to the expected numbers. As dorielMl says, they really should follow the person through the progression of the disease where the real changes affect families and the person.

    I guess all in all a good start.
  2.  
    Agree with LFL.
    • CommentAuthorlulliebird
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013 edited
     
    Public Awareness: I am grateful that this is being aired however, the American public has a short attention span and next week more than likely this will be forgotten. There needs to be CONTINUAL public awareness. It's not a matter of "IF the numbers increase in the disease", but WHEN. As the baby-boomers generation hit of over 65 record numbers will get diagnosed. When that happens the alarm will be sounded too late!

    Ignorance of the public: Recently on a facebook I saw a post "Alzheimer's /Dementia public enemy number one" My daughter-in-law posted "my father-in-law has this PROBLEM." I was compelled to write, "this is NOT a PROBLEM, but a terminal DISEASE of which there is NO cure." People do not want to wake up and educate themselves of this disease. The public will remain ignorant until it's their spouse, their grandparent, or son or daughter even when it's in their own family (as in the case of my daughter-in-law)

    One of the biggest misconceptions of Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's disease only affects the elderly. Wrong, wrong, wrong, how many American's are clueless that this disease can strike in the 40's, 50's or 60's? By the way, should Alzheimer's disease be minimized because it's considered an old age disease? Don't the elderly deserve a quality of life?

    Sad as it is true: Most America's attention is limited. Next week this NBC segment will soon be forgotten. We need continually media attention.
  3.  
    Another misconception is that it not only affects the person who has it, but it effects the entire family - spouse, kids, grandkids, siblings etc.
    • CommentAuthordivvi*
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013 edited
     
    ii am not sure how I felt watching the program.its a start. I agree more funding is a no brainer. but pairing an AD person for one year with med student for the FIRST year.
    well we know they are highly functioning during that time. let them pair them with the person who is hallucinating, aggressive, flight risks, and still driving. that would wake a few up. sorry but I see it as an effort but not much benefit in the long run. that's just my take on it.
    group seminars to medical students, drs,psychologists, all medical professionals, with handson caregivers as speakers, I think would have more impact.
    divvi
  4.  
    divvi, I agree that they should advance into interaction with more advanced dementia. The general public already thinks dementia is just some sweet little old lady who can't remember her grandkids' names, but she's so sweet and pleasant. Let the new docs see the horror and heartbreak of the later stages.
    • CommentAuthorAliM
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013
     
    I do not believe a med student spending 4 hours a month with an early stage dementia patient will help very much. I would like the med student to be an in residence sole caregiver for a moderate to severe patient for one month! (I'm dreaming). With Sargent Shriver and Ronald Reagan not being diagnosed until their mid eighties and both passing away in their mid nineties I do not feel like this is knowing what happens when it strikes in the prime of life. Having their unlimited financial, medical and pyhsical assistance surely lessened the burden. I do appreciate Maria using her name to keep this horrible disease somewhat in the limelight because maybe... someday.... just maybe someday...........
    • CommentAuthorAdmin
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013
     
    Reminder - Jim's interview is scheduled for tomorrow morning ( Thursday) on the Today Show.

    joang
  5.  
    It comes on at 2:30 a.m. here!! Aarg! I hope there is a way I can watch it!
    • CommentAuthorAliM
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013
     
    Coco, You can log on to NBC news and click on Today and watch anytime. You can also read all transcripts about ALZ shown during this weeks segment. I know Jim's segment will be more in the world of reality about Alz.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeSep 4th 2013
     
    http://www.nbcnews.com/health/join-conversation-how-has-alzheimers-touched-your-life-8C11038470

    the link is to a 30 minute interview Maria does. She does talk about younger onset - how it is increasing. Ask a doctor about all the diets recommended, the latest stories on copper and iron, etc. - the doctor says healthy diet and exercise is never bad but won't help those who already have it. those in their 20s and 30s may be helped. It was a good interview to listen to.
  6.  
    Watched segment this a.m. with Jim and it was good. I still would like to see something on how difficult it is to deal with some of the challenges faced with behaviors that caregivers must deal with. Glad they did include Jim's statement about cost of hiring care giving help.
    • CommentAuthorLFL
    • CommentTimeSep 5th 2013
     
    I saw Jim's interview this morning and was pleased that they appeared to let him tell the story as we know it. Nothing sugar coated and you could tell that everyone was disturbed by it. Maria did ask Jim's support group leader if his story is unusual (meaning the fact that his father took such extreme action) and she said yes, that she' has never known anyone to do that before.

    Jim as always was articulate, told his story with honesty and grace. He mentioned the cost of care ($6000/mo) and said he didn't know how anyone could afford that. He represented our issues well...his wife was an RN (well educated), in her 50's when diagnosed (younger onset), that as a caregiver he had to bathe her, etc each day before work (caregiver stress) and the costs of the disease.

    Thank you JIm for telling your very compelling story and trying to educate the public. We are lucky to have you as a forum member.
  7.  
    Just watched Jim's interview. Great job, Jim! Thank you.