Question:
1. Do other countries have lower rates of AD due to shorter lifespans?

2. Can cultural considerations (such as embarassment/shame/socialinacceptance of disorders like AD & other dementias) make it anunder-reported condition in many areas of the world?

3. Are other countries under-diagnosing AD -- or conversely are we in theStates *over*-diagnosing other conditions as AD?

4. Are countries where those suffering from AD are more often cared for athome less likely to be concerned with reporting it than countries where thegov't. often winds up paying for the care of those suffering with it?

Answer: The U.S. may well have an higher percentage of its older populationsuffering with AD & other dementias. Unfortunately, there are a myriad ofpossibilities that may come into play. Alcohol & drug use (both legal &otherwise), treatment (successful & not) for other disorders, maybe LACK oftreatment for other problems, the list can go on & on. Perhaps the next bigstep in AD/dementia research is to analyze what those suffering have incommon in their medical history. [Admittedly difficult to do, as we aretalking about decades here.] Maybe gene mapping will help us see if thereis a genetic factor that is playing a major role in this.

Currently there are some lights at the end of the tunnel. New drugs areshowing some promise at slowing the s/s of the disease -- at least whengiven in the early stages. But these disappointingly don't work for long.Buying time seems to be the only thing we have & it doesn't work foreveryone. The encouraging thing I've seen is that each time I return tothis type of nursing, we've learned a bit more -- even if it's only how todeal with the disease to give those suffering with it a better quality oflife. The company I am currently doing my nursing work for specializes inAD & other dementias, with some great concepts of care that I never hadexperience with before working there. [Even the buildings themselves arespecially designed for those with dementia (they have one floor, the newerones with no "dead ends" in the hallways, one has a "town square" --complete with storefronts & a lamp post that reminds me of a street atDisneyland -- for residents who want to wander around without feelingtrapped.] Nobody is physically restrained because the buildings aresecured, most buildings with beautiful courtyards, some of the newer oneswith walking paths. There are activities that involve staff as well asresidents. Open visiting hours to encourage families to come in. I work ina building that was purchased from another company, but they have made it avery nice environment -- extremely homey, nothing remotely institutionallooking.