Grey's Anatomy and Alzheimer's

By Suzanne Holman • April 29th, 2009

I remember discovering Grey’s Anatomy when Oprah had the cast on her show. She mentioned watching all the previous episodes via DVD. I decided I would do that also and watched my way through several seasons! I LOVE watching series via DVD rather than live TV with commercials. Going from episode to episode without interruption can build on the drama so much more effectively.

It was fascinating to see Meredith’s mom, once an extremely talented physician, with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. This brought so much attention to the disease and that it could affect younger people than we usually expect to have Alzheimer’s.

More than 200,000 Americans are living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease, meaning they have been diagnosed under the age of 65. Alzheimer’s is not just a disease that affects “old people.” Today, we have the ability to diagnose people in their 30s, 40s and 50s — giving them time to plan for the future and begin drug therapy. Learn how to recognize the signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

In this instance, the fictional world of television has only emphasized what is fact: Alzheimer’s is a public health threat that must be stopped.

http://www.alz.org/Meredith_and_Derek/

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