It's an alarming statistic. Alzheimer's disease is on the rise. Studies show Mississippi isn't immune, and 65-thousand people will have the illness by 2025.
"We consider Alzheimer's a health care crisis," said Patty Dunn with the Mississippi Alzheimer's Association.
That crisis has prompted meetings like one held Wednesday, as members from the national and state Alzheimer's associations, lawmakers, and others discussed legislation about "adult guardianship" laws.
"This legislation because other states have and are considering the legislation would put us all together saying we recognize Mississippi," said Representative Bobby Moak, a Democrat from Bogue Chitto.
Noah Moore said he can relate to this legislation as he has a family member with Alzheimer's out of state.
If guardianship laws pass during the 2011 session, if needed, Moore could handle all legal documents with less confusion.
"It (guardianship laws) will be a vehicle or a means to be able to take control of this situation," said Moore.
"Potentially one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, which are high blood pressure and diabetes, and those risk factors are more prevalent in the African American and Hispanic community," said Dunn.
This simple fact is another reason Moore has decided to take action against a disease that impacts millions of Americans and the family members who care for them.
If you would like more information about this legislation and Alzheimer's disease, you can call the Mississippi Alzheimer's Association at 601-987-0020 or go to their website at www.alz.org/ms
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Proposed Alzheimer's Laws Could Help Family Members
I am very uncomfortable with the trend to diagnose memory impairment as Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteI believe the intent here is good and that they want to help with families who are ravaged by Alzheimer's, but at the same time, I'm afraid they're giving more power to the wrongdoers who take advantage of every opportunity and make it work for them instead.
ReplyDeleteThis is good. Alzheimer's is so awful. Any help families can receive is deserved.
ReplyDeleteThey can't even diagnose this disease with certainty until someone is dead but they can use it as an excuse to toss them into guardianships and then strip them of all their rights and money!
ReplyDeleteThere should be hard evidence of incapacity and an Alzheimer's diagnosis would never meet the standard.