The PBS program, Sufferers of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Describe Life with the Disease, consists of interviews by Susan Dentzer of those in the baby boomer age who suffer from this disease. 

Ms. Dentzer introduces those she will be interviewing, then follows with a very informative program:

We wanted to know more about what it’s like to be struck by Alzheimer’s in the prime of life, so we sat down for a conversation with this group, all suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s. All have worked with the National Alzheimer’s Association and are among the nation’s most vocal spokespersons for the urgency of fighting the disease.

For more insight, from people who are experiencing early onset Alzheimer’s, read the transcript of the program.

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Transcript of PBS Program About Early Onset Alzheimer’s Is Online

Fantasy author Terry Pratchett let the world know he has been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s resulting from a mini stroke.  Pratchett wrote to his fans:

“I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while, but because of upcoming conventions and the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems unfair to withhold the news.”

Check here for more information about Terry Pratchett, his work and his life.                                       

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Author Terry Pratchett Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s

You’ll find very interesting and informative interview of Ken Wanatabe at ComingSoon.net will give you insight about how he discovered the book and decided to make this movie. 

“He plays the manager of a high profile ad agency whose life is altered when he starts showing the early stages of Alzheimer’s at age 49.”

Whereas many of the movies dealing with Alzheimer’s portrayed someone who contracted this disease later in life.  Memories of Tomorrow is about early onset Alzheimer’s.  I’m looking forward to seeing this movie when it’s available.

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Memories of Tomorrow, new movie about Alzheimer’s

Early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s also can have a disastrous effect on a family’s income because often that person is one of the wage earners.  They also might have dependent children at home. 

Diana Friel McGowin tells about her struggles with early onset Alzheimer’s in her book, Living in the Labyrinth, a Personal Journey through the Maze of Alzheimer’s.  I found this book particularly helpful when caring for my mom.  It helped give me insight into what Mother was going through and might be feeling, even though hers was not early onset.

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Early Onset Alzheimer’s Drastically Affects Families

Then on my next visit to see Mother, I again saw Marilyn.  When I saw her a third time, I began to wonder if she was more than a frequent visitor. 

“She lives here,” a nurse said.  “Marilyn has early onset dementia.”

That was when I realized someone in their early 60s could become so stricken with Alzheimer’s she was living in this unit of the nursing home.  At a caregivers’ group sharing time, we learned from Marilyn’s husband that she was 55 when her symptoms became apparent.  He had tried to care for her at home, but this had become increasingly difficult for him.

Her husband visited her almost daily, took her for walks and drives, had meals with her even when it seemed she no longer reconized him.  Marilyn passed away when in her mid-60s, while my mom lived to be 92 years old.

Early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s has become of increasing concern in recent years.  Perhaps it’s always been here, but we didn’t want to realize it existed.  Researchers continue to try to find treatments that will slow down this disease so people with early onset or later onset will have more useful years of life.

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Early Onset Alzheimer’s – a Great Concern

A reference in the Alzheimer’s Daily News (http://alznews.org ), linking to an article in the Bradenton Hearld (www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/15107755.htm ), tells about a support group for early-onset victims in the Mid-West.  This group, Without Warning, was founded by Dr. David Bennett, who is the medical director of the Chicago Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. 

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More Attention Given to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s