Dear Friends,
 In October 1991, three separate weather systems converged over the North Atlantic creating
what meteorologists called “the perfect storm,” the storm so vividly dramatized in the movie of
the same name. Although, weather experts had predicted that a storm of this magnitude was
inevitable, we were unprepared — with deadly results.
Over the next few decades,Americans will face another “perfect storm” with equally devastating
consequences. As I write this, the “Baby Boomers,” the largest cohort in the nation’s history,
is predicted to outlive any previous generation. By the year 2050, 32 million Americans will be
85 or older and 16 million “Boomers” will have Alzheimer’s disease. If nothing is done, one in
every five New Yorkers will either have the disease or be taking care of someone who does.
With no prevention or cure in sight, our health care system is unprepared to withstand the
extraordinary pressure of so many people ill and needing care. We lack adequate beds in nursing
homes and hospitals. We do not have enough trained health care workers for either residential or
home care. We know that insurance coverage to supplement expenses for caregiving are inadequate
and inflexible family-leave policies often force caregivers to leave the job market. Of course,
when they leave their jobs, they pay fewer taxes, thereby reducing the tax base at precisely the
moment when we need more money to sustain an already fragile health care system.
We know this storm is coming. And this is too big a challenge for government, the public or
the private sector to handle on its own. Nevertheless,we must prepare — and now. What can we
do today?
We can heighten public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and force public assessment of critical
health care resources. The voice of the Alzheimer’s community must resonate in the halls of
government, to ensure sustained growth in research funding, to enhance science education and to
spark new research. We must create rational policies that enhance support for families and
communities. We need to improve awareness of early stage dementia and educate the physician
community on how to best refer the newly diagnosed. We must also provide adequate compensation,
training, benefits, and other incentives so that residential care and home health care become
desirable jobs.
Make no mistake. This “perfect storm” is on the way — but if each of us — ordinary citizens,
family caregivers, government leaders, philanthropists, and members of the medical community —
plays our part,we can head off this national crisis. And the time to act is now.
You will have the opportunity to raise your voice with ours on October 21st in Riverside Park
at our 2007 Memory Walk — the season’s first opportunity to connect with the community. And
don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Chapter’s Annual Meeting on September 25th at
Rockefeller University, where we will assemble prominent researchers for a symposium entitled,
“Competing Paradigms in Alzheimer’s Research.” And, on November 2nd the Chapter will host
the second in a series of Art & Alzheimer’s events — a multi-media dance-theater performance
entitled,“Demolition Derby — when a mind loses its license to drive.” You can read more about
the program in the interview with Erik Stern, the choreographer, which begins on our cover.
As always, I look forward to seeing you at these and other events — and hearing from you
throughout the year. I also wish to extend deep appreciation to Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for
underwriting our Fall Newsletter.
— Lou-Ellen Barkan
President & CEO
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