Alzheimer's Rising Tide of New Cases Floods Caregivers

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "As Alzheimer's Action Day -- September 21st -- approaches, the medical community is being stretched to its limits and overwhelmed with hundreds of new cases every day," says Marie Marley, Ph.D., Kansas City area author of "Come Back Early Today: A Memoir of Love, Alzheimer's and Joy."

"At the same time, long-term care facilities are bursting at the seams trying to provide caring homes for these patients. With the aging of the Baby Boomers the number of new cases is increasing dramatically. In fact, Alzheimer's is the defining disease of the Baby Boomers and one of the biggest challenges facing the country today," she says.

September is the first World Alzheimer's Month, and September 21st is Alzheimer's Action Day, when the Alzheimer's Association is asking people to wear purple and take action in the fight against Alzheimer's.

"You can help by putting a human face on this disease characterized by memory loss," she says. Reporters can talk to Dr. Marie Marley about the years she spent as the caregiver for Dr. Edward Theodoru, the love of her life and one of the many faces of dementia.

A unique incident forced Marley to come face to face with Alzheimer's -- when she finally realized that Ed was demented.

She looked into his face one evening. He was angry, depressed, even delusional. He couldn't find his scissors -- because he couldn't find his kitchen. "Kitchen? What's a kitchen? I don't have a kitchen," he told her.

She was shocked at the symptoms of Alzheimer's and subsequent behavior of this former brilliant lawyer and University of Cincinnati professor, a charming yet eccentric Romanian scholar and gentleman. For a time, his drinking increased. He was verbally abusive. He was increasingly confused. He slept most of the day.

Dr. Marley, a veteran medical grant writer at the University of Cincinnati, had acquired a keen understanding of many geriatric issues, including dementia, over the years, yet nothing could have prepared her for the often heartbreaking task of loving and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

"Fortunately I discovered there can be hope amidst the darkness of dementia," says Marley. "Even though Ed was still demented, psychotropic medications helped transform him from an angry, depressed patient into one of the most contented, loving, adorable people you'd ever want to meet. Not the face of your typical Alzheimer's patient."

The use of such medications, however, is highly controversial. Years ago nursing homes often used them to drug problem patients into submission. They were given in high doses that sedated patients and typically turned them into zombies. "Families were aghast," says Marley.

But today's newer medications can be used to treat non-dementia problems such as depression, obsessive compulsiveness, aggression, or anxiety -- all, asserts Marley -- in doses that do not overly sedate patients. The patients are still demented, of course, but these drugs can improve the overall quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver.

Every 69 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's. It impacts people in every walk of life -- sports coaches, music stars, even presidents. In fact, more than 5.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from its debilitating effects.

Reporters can request a free copy of the book or get instructions on how to download a free PDF by emailing Marie@ComeBackEarlyToday.com.

About the Author

Marie Marley is available for interviews about her experience caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. She is currently a medical grant writer at the American Academy of Family Physicians in Leawood, Kansas. "Come Back Early Today" is available at www.Amazon.com and at the book's website, http://www.ComeBackEarlyToday.com.

CONTACT:Marie Marley, PhD, Joseph Peterson BooksPhone: 913-633-9080Marie@ComeBackEarlyToday.comhttp://www.ComeBackEarlyToday.com

SOURCE Marie Marley