This challenge is very real. Some are calling it the “silver tsunami”—the wave of men and women living longer than previous generations. Yet our communities and nations are not ready to face the rising tide of those suffering from these diseases. Researchers predict that 6.7 million people in America alone will have Alzheimer’s alone. Today, one in eight older Americans have Alzheimer’s, and the risk of developing the brain disorder doubles every five years after age 65.
The ADRAG was recently awarded a Rotary Foundation Grant, with matching funds from Cure Alzheimer's Fund (www.curealz.org). This is a terrific global grant project with Dr. Rudy Tanzi of Harvard and the Massachusetts General Hospital heading up the research to determine why more women have Alzheimer's than men.