Story Archives of 'Alzheimer's Disease'

Roughly 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. It affects about 1 in 20 people over the age of 65 and that number greatly increases as one gets older. Scientists know a lot about its causes, though it’s hard to diagnose while one is alive. And there's no cure, only drugs that delay the onset of symptoms. In part one of our series exploring Alzheimer’s Disease, we look at what we do and don't know about Alzheimer's, as well as what we’re learning and how we’re treating it.

Guests

• Dr. Robert A. Stern, Associate Professor of Neurology and Co-Director, Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program at Boston University’s School of Medicine
• Dr. Paul Raia, Vice President for Patient care and family support for the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Ellie Roy of Dover is the primary caregiver for her husband, who has Alzheimer's Disease. Homemakers Health Services cares for him several days a week so that Ellie can run errands as well as find support for herself.

Tonight on the Front Porch, NHPR's "Graying of the Granite State" series continues with a look at memory loss. As we grow older, almost all of us have to deal with failing recollections. Not every case is extreme, but dementia and Alzheimer's can be the hardest thing a family must go through. We'll explore memory loss through the eyes of a playwright who's work tells the story of an elderly couple dealing with Alzheimer's disease. And we'll talk with a Dartmouth researcher about why, exactly, our memories begin to fail as we get older.

Our Guests Are:

• Barbara Hammond, author of the play "Norman and Beatrice: A Marriage in Two Acts". It tells the story of an elderly couple dealing with Alzheimer's disease.
• Dr. William Kelly, associate professor of Psychology at Dartmouth College.

Barbara will be sharing part of her play and leading a discussion about it as part of the Littleton Senior Center's series "Mindful Things: Exploring Memory Loss through Science and Art."

Malcolm McLane is an attorney and partner in one of the state's leading law firms. He's been a political activist, officeholder, and candidate for Governor. Before all that, he was a fighter pilot in World War Two. He was shot down and taken prisoner by the Germans. He'll talk about his career in war, law, and politics, and his late-in-life switch from Republican to Democrat. He's also become a full-time caregiver for his wife, Susan McLane, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. He talks about the profound change in his an her life since the onset of the disease.

Velma Olson of Alton was on her own in caring for her husband, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association of New Hampshire has helped to support both of them.