Struggle and Hope for Alzheimer’s Patients and their Caregivers

About 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and that number is rising in line with the aging population. An estimated one to four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer’s. Joining us on The Point is Dr. Molly Perdue, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, designed to get caregivers the help and support they need. We look at the role of caregivers play for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and discuss the Center’s participation in a longstanding study to better support caregivers. Also joining the discussion is Clinical Director Vaughn Harding. Our host is Mindy Todd. Later in the hour, we hear from professor David Hotzman, chairman of the neurology department at the Washington University School of Medicine. He describes why he thinks Alzheimer’s disease will one day be treatable.