When people ask for my thoughts on current “trends” in Alzheimer’s treatment, I am very cautious about how I respond.
They have likely seen something in their social media feed or in an email that sounds fabulous, and they are eager to believe it.
Because we all want to believe. Because we all want to #ENDALZ.
I’m rallying troops for this battle. I’m the obnoxious lady shouting the loudest that I have hope!
And yet, I do not take seriously the ads and clickbait that proclaim a quick fix, an all-you-have-to-do-is-buy-this product, or any easy solution to Alzheimer’s disease. This is not an easy disease. The path to treatment and an eventual cure is also not easy.
Several years ago I had the opportunity to ask one of the chief medical consultants at the Alzheimer’s Association how to respond to these quick claims and “too outrageous to be true” concepts.
His answer:
Our approach [at the Alzheimer’s Association] is to think and explore and research any and every crazy, innovative, out-of-the-box idea that shows promise. BUT, we are extremely careful and conservative about what we declare.
I immediately adopted that stance.
If a researcher hypothesizes that standing on one’s head for 17 minutes twice a day for 3 straight days and then every 5th day for 2 weeks and once a month for two years after that will cure Alzheimer’s disease, then I say test it!
But I refuse to spread rumors that we’ve found the magic trick, the amazing pill, or the foolproof method until we know 100% without a doubt that we are correct.
That’s why this email from Alzheimer’s Association CEO Harry Johns is so exciting! Take a look, and join me in prayers and hopes and wishes that the hearing goes well and the drug is approved:
With love and hugs,
Ashli
PS: In case you missed it earlier in the week, I hope you will save the date to attend my upcoming ladies’ luncheon for Alzheimer’s awareness via Zoom on Tuesday, November 10th.
Here is a link to get more information: AWARE 2020
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