Suppose I Get Alzheimer’s Disease?
08 Jan 2010
Is it possible to have a worse tragedy? Lately I’ve had first-hand experience of witnessing a friend struck by Alzheimer’s Disease, a frightful malady. Just as sure as night follows day he has entered a mental state he no longer knows me. Day after day he stares at blank walls and is incontinence of urine and feces. Since there’s no cure, this disease has huge implications for both families and our health care system.
The statistics are staggering. The average 65 year old person is expected to live to 85 years of age or older. So it won’t be long before the baby boomers enter what’s been called the “Grey Tsunami”. Statistics Canada reports there were 3.9 million seniors in 2001 which will increase to 6.7 million in 2021. And after age 80 one in four will develop Alzheimer’s disease.
So what can be done to prepare for this grey tsunami? Some say that the answer is more institutional beds and increased home help for families to care for these patients.
Others say that studies show it’s ancient thinking to assume there’s no way to combat brain deterioration. For instance, the Alzheimer’s Society suggests promoting a healthier lifestyle. In effect, researchers say that the brain has more tiger in the tank than everyone believes. And that it’s possible by a combination of physical and mental activity to improve brain fitness.
This makes sense. After all, if muscles need exercise to stay healthy, the brain is no exception. Possibly many people are retiring too early and putting their brain to sleep. So anything that challenges the brain such as cross word puzzles is brain healthy. Hopefully even writing this column. I’ve always believed that the ideal time to retire is 10 years after you’re dead.
But there’s a problem. My friend was as active physically and mentally as anyone I know. He was an ardent athlete and devoured the figures of the Wall Street Journal daily. Now he can’t add 2+2 and I doubt that anything could have been done to change this outcome. Once Alzheimer’s strikes it appears to be the start of a different ball game.
What does this mean for our health care system? The cost will be enormous, but the government will have to find the money. A good start would be to discontinue questionable expenditures. For instance, for years millions of dollars have been given to hundreds of non-government organizations for most questionable purposes. These funds could be used to care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease this and other chronic conditions.
But what does it mean for those afflicted with this disease? Looking at my friend it means facing a life worse than death. Not to mention the huge emotional and physical stress for family members who care for their loved one.
One of Harvard’s most distinguished professors once remarked, “The secret of caring for the patient is caring for the patient.” But after years of caring for patients he developed a devastating illness. Just before he committed suicide he left a note saying, “It’s wrong that society forced me to end my life this way without help.”
My family knows that if the law of this country remain the same I do not want to end my life thoughtless and incontinent. Rather, I prefer to leave this planet with the help of “Dignitas” in Switzerland. But like the Harvard professor I too will say, “This freedom of choice should have been possible in my own country.”
Unfortunately, even expressing an opinion about assisted euthanasia is controversial and hazardous. The majority of readers agree with me. But a vocal minority due to religious, ethical or moral reasons accuse me of wanting to exterminate the sick and elderly or liken me to Hitler’s death camps. Or that I should accept God as my saviour. Or did the idiot ever go to medical school.
I’m not suggesting assisted death to anyone suffering from the terminal stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. But in a democratic nation we should be allowed sign a legal document stating that if we become thoughtless and incontinent we should have this choice. No one should not have to purchase a one-way ticket to Zurich.
