I believe you judge a society by the way it care for those who are vulnerable.
What is so disappointing about the government’s National Dementia Strategy which has just been announced is that it sadly fails to support much needed research into dementia.
Ask anyone around you that if they knew they were going to have Alzheimer’s in 10 years time, what would they rather have – the chance of medication which would make a real difference to their quality of life, or the provision of personal care advisers which is part of this strategy.
There is no light at the end of the tunnel for those suffering from dementia. One day it could be us. Yet amazingly The Alzheimer’s Research Trust receives no government funding and relies on donations to fund its vital research.
Every 14 minutes another person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in England and Wales. What is the point of having memory clinics in every town if there are no new drugs to treat those inflicted with this horrid disease? Why couldn’t the government have invested half of the £150 million from this strategy for research into dementia?
I totally agree, Ellee. The money spent on dementia is a fraction of that spent on cancer research and treatment.
I completely agree, Ellee.
The puzzling thing for me is that the NHS answer to aphasia was to treat it as depression; with Seroxat. They are so keen to hand out antidepressants when other non-chemical treatments could better serve the patient. Yet they are reluctant to spend money on other drugs. Puzzling.
If us humble women can see what is obvious, why can’t the government? Why do they not support the Alzheimer’s Research Trust?
Thank You for raising this issue. Watching someone deteriorate with Alzheimer’s is quite distressing.
CherryPie, so true, very true.
It’s odd, isn’t it, considering the massive number of baby boomers who will be facing some form of senile dementia that so little heed is paid to it. Frankly I find governmental neglect of this in virtually all countries to be shocking.
I used to think the sick should be terminated and my counsellor quoted the saying you did…
(I only thought that, BTW, because I was sick myself ~ for several years, with the dreaded ME ~ and felt guilty about being an burden on society…)
Ellee: Having lost my father to Parkinson’s, I can attest to the abominable approach from the global research community when it comes to stem cell research. Christopher Reeve did a fine job in his last book outlining how to handle stem cell research without compromising ethics or morals. Your fine post reminded me that while we become mired in partison politics and bickering, many become afflicted. You have your heart in the right place, Ellee! lol!
A scandal indeed Ellee. Let’s hope this situation is remedied since it is a disease which more suffer from every day as the population ages and lives longer.
You are totally right, Ellee. What’s the point of an early diagnosis when there is no meaningful intervention? 60% of GPs researched last year said they won’t give a diagnosis because there is no real help available. NICE still prevents the NHS prescribing any drug in the early stages – patients have to wait until they get worse, first! But, one good thing is that this raised awareness could change the stigma and ignorance attached to dementia.
Good that you raised this issue.
Louise
Louise, it’s lack of joined up thinking.
You are right Ellee
Yes, sadly dementia is still largely hidden. And yet it must be what we all fear the most really. I know I do.
It is really a national disgrace. Does Brown only want the drugs for his fellow Scots?
its the same here Ellee and its a disgrace.
re previous post:- Obama is just a Clinton puppet
It doesn’t get government support because the people who have it cannot fight for themselves. That and the fact that no one wants to think about it. It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s is not the only manifestation of dementia and that it is a disease that can affect young people too. Only those who have been close to someone affected can imagine how tragic it is.
The government should care more about the effects that Alzheimer has on people and society in general. They dont realize that indirectly, it effects everyone as more hospitals are filled with people that could be easily cured if the government took more interest in helping prevent these curable diseases.
thanks for the article,
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