Treading Dark Waters - a Column by Ray Burow

Dementia is potentially preventable in more than a third of reported cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This is encouraging, and also surprising. It is hopeful news for anyone who suffers from dementia and for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The fact that dementia is preventable may surprise most,…

Loss accompanies Alzheimer’s disease and may create animosity between a caregiver and the person receiving care. A parent or spouse receiving care may become frustrated with their loss of independence, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that lands resentment squarely upon the caregiver. Adult children who care for aging parents often…

While aging is the greatest risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the disease is not a normal part of aging. Most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 or older. But this is not an indication that Alzheimer’s is strictly a disease of old age. Thousands of younger people have…

The Alzheimer’s Association cites recruitment for clinical trials, and then retaining those recruits, as one of the greatest obstacles to Alzheimer’s research. Without participants, it is very difficult to find effective treatments. The lack of willing participants is second only to funding for Alzheimer’s research. Clinical studies are key.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. In 1973, the last U.S. combat troops pulled out of Vietnam, along with the prisoners of war who were held there. A year later, U.S. President…

The Alzheimer’s Association recently released its 2021 Facts and Figures report. Compared to the 2020 report, there are a few grim changes regarding the most common form of dementia. Primarily, the devastating numbers have gone up. Unsurprising. The United States houses an aging population, and as the number…

Most people only have to contract the flu once to be convinced that skipping a vaccination the next season isn’t a good idea. Cheers to those who choose to avoid the flu, or at least sidestep a full assault, by getting vaccinated before contracting and spreading it. According to the…

‘Tis the season! What season you ask? Well, sure, it’s tax season, but saddling right up next to it is prey on seniors season. This predatory season remains open all year, unfortunately, but the weeks and months leading up to April 15 are rife with scammers who target vulnerable…

We’re continually faced with news about COVID-19. It’s impossible to open a newspaper, read a magazine, or watch television without being bombarded with news and pertinent information about the virus and how it will affect the public. I apologize in advance for throwing more virus information at you, but a…

We in the Alzheimer’s community talk a lot about the disappointing and challenging aspects of the disease. One thing we particularly talk about is loss. A family’s shared loss is palpable. We live with it daily, between the here and now and what used to be. Caregivers reside in the…