Dear Friends,

A woman with the barest hint of middle age showing on her face and just a few strands of gray in her brown hair. She is athletic and agile, but has forgotten how to operate the big white machine in the basement. Sometimes, she gets lost on her way to work. And upon occasion, she stares blankly at the picture of the handsome young teenager in her wallet. At 43, she has Alzheimer’s disease.

This is not a work of fiction. Ten percent of those with Alzheimer’s are under the age of 60. In fact, although it is rare, people as young as 25 have been diagnosed with the young-onset form of the disease. And while all dementia is devastating, few things are more tragic than adults in the prime of life struck down by Alzheimer’s disease. At the very moment when they should be enjoying the fulfillment of their professional lives, their children’s success and the freedom of the “empty nest,” they are robbed of their lives.

The burdens of young-onset Alzheimer’s impact every aspect of family life. If the person with Alzheimer’s disease is the family’s sole breadwinner, the economic consequences are devastating. Undoubtedly, caregiving spouses encounter problems at work as they struggle to balance work responsibilities with time off for medical appointments and the inevitable emergencies. For a child whose parent has Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis often results in anger, resentment, depression and behavioral problems.

Most heartbreaking, though, is seeing an 80-year-old parent who is unexpectedly, tragically taking care of a child. Picture a middle age son with Alzheimer’s disease who doesn’t recognize his mother and has forgotten how to shave.

At the Chapter, we are doing our part by hosting our “Next Generation” series of presentations. At each event, senior scientists introduce their protégées, who present state-of-the-art research to an audience of influential New Yorkers. If the enthusiasm of these brilliant and articulate young scientists is any measure of future success, we are on the verge of major breakthroughs.

Many of these scientists will join us at various Chapter events throughout 2008. Plan to join them and us on July 9th for our 4th Annual Alzheimer’s Awareness Day at Shea Stadium, on September 17th for our Annual Meeting and on
October 26th for our Memory Walk 2008.

I hope to see you there and until I do, enjoy the summer!

— Lou-Ellen Barkan President & CEO

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