Ripple Effect

My books are like a ripple effect, taking me downstream to situations unknown. Recently, our book, “No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality of Caring for Someone with Dementia” was read and used by Lynda Everman. Because of the book, Lynda contacted me about a new advocacy group open to all faith backgrounds, ClergyAgainstAlzheimer's, which I joined as a founder. 46 years ago our mother died from Parkinson’s dementia with little support, except from her family. Three years ago our sister, Patricia, died from vascular dementia. For many years I was a nursing home chaplain, offering care to

Still Kicking at 88

If Alzheimer's were cured, people would simply age, rather than disappear into the unforgiving vortex of the disease. There are many octogenarians and nonagenarians who age as nature meant them to. Take for example: Warren Buffet, 83, who is called the "Sage of Omaha" and is noted for his adherence to the value investing philosophy and for his personal frugality -- probably because he recently was demoted to the third richest person in the world. Or Betty White, 90, the vibrant comedian known for her expert timing and for never going down on a line. Or Fidel Castro, 88, who

What Seth Rogen Can Teach Silicon Valley About Alzheimer's

For Alzheimer's, the old Dickensian paradox holds: we are in the best of times and the worst. Times are bad because there is no effective way to treat or prevent Alzheimer's, and global rates of the disease are going to double by 2030 and reach 135 million by mid-century. Families are financially and emotionally devastated by the disease, and national budgets are becoming overwhelmed by the disease's extraordinary costs. And even though Alzheimer's is a greater burden than cancer, diabetes, and other age-related non-communicable diseases, only rarely does Alzheimer's receive adequate attention. But times are also good. The fight against

Living with EOAD

Editor’s note: This story is taken from a speech given recently by Steve at a church in North Carolina Hello, my name is Steve Ponath I am honored to of been asked to come before you today and speak about a disease that has affected me personally. I'd like you to understand that in doing so, I step out of my comfort zone and walk in faith that what I am about to say is Christ centered, and not Steve centered. I now have to read what I want to say rather than just express it freely, this disease takes

Exciting News on the Research Front

With the approaching launch of two exciting new clinical trials, there’s a feeling of optimism in the air. Dr. Suzanne Craft, Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine and Genny Matthews of the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study ( ADCS ) joined a recent ActivistsAgainstAlzheimer’s Network teleconference to discuss the latest developments. The SNIFF study and the A4 Trial are getting under way. Dr. Craft is leading SNIFF and the A4 Trial is led by Dr. Reisa Sperling of Harvard Medical School. Both trials are conducted through ADCS. SNIFF is enrolling participants at several sites now