Taking the responsible view of life:

I wrote "I hope they know... The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer's Disease and Care" to focus families and loved ones on finding personalized solutions to preserve and protect the best quality of life for the longest period of time. Together with the necessary information you will need early on, there are answers to the most difficult questions that will come up over the course of the illness. Most families miss out on critical community resources and the most innovative and internationally accepted care practices today, unless they have help in finding them.

Art and music therapy, simple home design changes, intimacy needs, failing driving skills, assistive technologies for the memory impaired, advance directives and living wills are just a few of these essentials. Likely, we already know someone with this disease, or will, at the rate of a new diagnosis every 72 seconds. Improving the way we care for Alzheimer's patients as we care for the caregiver is my commitment. What you can offer with knowledge can make the difference.

"Humanitarianism drives people to save lives, alleviate suffering and promote human dignity. Anyone can make it their duty to promote human welfare in the face of suffering. Find compassion in your heart; it only takes a commitment to be part of change."

- Zoë Lewis M.D. FACP, DAAHPM