Alzheimer's Day Underscores the Need for Compassion in Trying to Get an Early Diagnosis

I also believe that if Mom had agreed to a diagnosis that I (and perhaps my father) would have started learning about the stages of the disease and done a better job of anticipating what would happen. Instead, we both focused on the progression of Mom's lung disease.

I also believe that if we had had an earlier diagnosis, that much of the stress and strain in my parents' relationship from 2002-2005 might have been reduced because my father would have know what was going on (and I could have stepped in to either coach him or to spell him so he could have gotten a break).

Obviously, an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's can be beneficial, both for early treatment as well as for logistical planning. In our case (and for many other families), it wasn't possible due to the terrified reaction of the loved one who is experiencing this dreaded disease. For those people to reach a point of diagnosis takes tremendous compassion not only by family members and friends, but also by the medical community. And sometimes, unfortunately, that compassion just won't be enough.