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Posted under Blog on May 24th, 2013 by Editorial Team / No Comments
Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan has spoken candidly about her grandmother’s struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. Speaking at an Alzheimer’s Society lunch in Britain this week, the star of The Great Gatsby described the experience of watching her grandmother’s condition worsen over a ten-year period until she was unable to recognise loved ones.
As a result of her experience, the actress approached the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, offering to help raise awareness of the issues surrounding the disease. She is now an ambassador for the charity.
The actress spoke frankly to Channel 4 News about the process of her grandmother’s deterioration following her diagnosis about ten years ago: “She was a geography teacher and she was very passionate about our education….I remember her one day not being able to remember the different subjects I was taking for A-level and I remember thinking that as something she cared so much about, that wouldn’t something she easily forgot. And then it progressed from there, she would struggle to find her way home when she went out walking.”
Carey Mulligan is the latest well-known figure to lend her support to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, Hollywood star Seth Rogen led a fundraiser to help families struggling with Alzheimer’s care today, increase support groups nationwide, and fund cutting edge research through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Tags: Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's society, Carey Mulligan, Dementia Week
Posted under Blog on February 7th, 2013 by Editorial Team / No Comments
A new report has warned that the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could rise to almost 14 million by 2050.
Currently, it is estimated that 4.7 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. However, if progress is not made to tackle the disease, scientists fear this number could triple in the next few decades.
The study, published in Neurology, estimated that without major treatment advances 13.8 million Americans will have Alzheimer's in 2050, including 7 million people aged 85 or older.
Research in the next several years will be pivotal, said Dr P Murali Doraiswamy, a psychiatry professor at Duke University Medical Center.
It’s believed that damage caused in the brain by Alzheimer's may begin at least a decade before symptoms emerge. There's also evidence that the same risk factors for heart disease - such as high blood pressure and diabetes - could also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
No one is sure what people can do to prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease. A number of studies have linked certain lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and staying mentally active – as contributory factors in helping reduce the risk.
"Right now, there is no magic bullet," Dr Doraiswamy said. "But I would still encourage people to get regular exercise, to not smoke, to follow a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet [rich in fish, vegetables and fruit, whole grains and olive oil]."
According to the Alzheimer's Association, in 2012 the United States spent about $200 billion on treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. If progress is not made, the Association says, that figure could top $1 trillion in 2050.
Last year, US President Barack Obama announced the creation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease, which included commitments to fund research, health care provider training and family caregiver support. It has set a goal of finding effective treatment and prevention measures by 2025.
"We're very hopeful," said Maria Carrillo, vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association. But, she added, there needs to be continued pressure on the government so that Alzheimer's is not forgotten. "This is an under-addressed crisis in the US," she said.
To help advance research, people with Alzheimer's and their families could also consider participating in clinical trials, Carrillo noted. "Many people don't even know that there are clinical trials, and that they're recruiting," she said.
Posted under Blog on January 8th, 2013 by Editorial Team / No Comments
Comedian Seth Rogen will lead an all-star cast of comedians, musicians and entertainers at the second annual Hilarity for Charity event, which takes place in Hollywood in April. Hilarity for Charity is an annual event of music, entertainment and comedy benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Led by Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Miller, Hilarity for Charity was established to help “march Alzheimer’s into the headspace of the younger generation”. The idea behind the event, as well as raising vital funds, is to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among younger people. The show has been specifically designed to appeal to a younger audience – last year, stars included Bruno Mars, Tenacious D and Judd Apatow. Ticket prices are tailored to attract those who may not normally be able to afford to attend a charity function.
All money raised will be directed to help families struggling with Alzheimer’s care today, increase support groups nationwide, and fund cutting edge research through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Last year’s event, held in downtown Los Angeles, raised over $300,000 and brought Alzheimer’s disease to the forefront of a generation of younger people who normally don’t think about it.
More details can be found at www.alz.org/hilarityforcharity
Tags: Alzheimer's Association, Hilarity for charity, Seth Rogan
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