Toward the end of last year (2010 – I know, it was a long time ago!), in my characteristically humble and self-effacing style, I realized that I’d had a really good idea, so decided to share it with all of you. My “really good idea” was to just get rid of Alzheimer’s disease, once and for all – That’s right: Eliminate it.
Well, sure, I realized that there wasn’t a lot of “loose change” lying around, but a crisis is a CRISIS! – And since we’ve done it before, when we put our collective, national mind to it (think, polio, for one), let’s just eliminate this scourge that takes an unbelievable daily toll in human suffering, for people with Alzheimer’s, certainly, but for their families and caregivers, as well.
It is not all that unusual, in my world, for the caregiver to work herself or himself into the ground (literally!), and be the “first to go.” Enough: End this thing.
Well! While I would have told you, in my characteristically humble and self-effacing style, that it was highly unlikely for me to underestimate me, apparently I did, because – In a matter of days! – Congress passed, and on January 4, 2011, the President signed into law, the “National Alzheimer’s Project Act.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, humbly.
So, now what? The Alzheimer’s Association, which has been all over this thing from the beginning, is asking to hear from real people – People who have been or are being impacted by Alzheimer’s – What exactly ought to be included in the national strategy to put an end to this thing.
Sure, we all want “THE cure” or the vaccine or whatever (but don’t hesitate to tell them that), but there’s more to it, and if you’ve walked-the-walk, you know it: What about “respite?” Or “social daycare?” Or “caregiver support?” Or transportation? Or…?
Nobody – I repeat, NOBODY! – Knows as much about Alzheimer’s disease as the folks who live with it, and try to deal with it, every day, day-after-day, all day long. Nobody.
So, here is the question that the Alzheimer’s Association would like you to respond to: “What is the greatest challenge, frustration or concern you have about Alzheimer’s that you want the National Alzheimer’s Plan to address?”
Yes, I know what those words say, but I’ll bet you can have more than one.
If you’ve dealt with the Alzheimer’s Association, you know that they “know,” and they care, so tell them: Go to www.alz.org/napa and speak your piece.
And, by the way, if you and/or yours are dealing with Alzheimer’s, www.alz.org is an amazing source of information and support for real people who are doing the real work.
Speak up – Please.
Now, let’s try something different since, as previously noted, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of loose change lying around, and since it was “news” to me, I humbly presume that it will be “news” to you.
“EyeCare America” is a public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and they will provide a comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of care as no out-of-pocket cost, for any disease diagnosed during that exam, if you’re eligible. I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is, “No. They will not provide free eyeglasses,” but that doesn’t mean that you might not need the help.
Who’s eligible? Anyone 65 or better who hasn’t seen an ophthalmologist in three years or more, doesn’t belong to an HMO or have eye care through the Veteran’s Administration (VA). These volunteer ophthalmologists will waive co-payment and unmet deductibles and accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursements as payment in full. No insurance, no charge.
OR, if you don’t “fit” the above, but you’re at increased risk for glaucoma due to age, race or family history, and haven’t had an eye exam in 12 months or more, you might be eligible to get a free glaucoma eye exam, if you’re uninsured.
What do you do? You get on the computer, or have someone get on a computer on your behalf, and go to www.eyecareamerica.org where you’ll: (1) accept the program guidelines; (2) work through the questionnaire; (3) record the confirmation number. Period.
I did it. The web site is simple and “friendly,” (by the way, there’s a quite a bit of good, straightforward info there, too) and the questionnaire took about 5 minutes. I kept expecting it to ask me about income or assets, but it never did. It does ask about insurance – Fair enough.
Look (he said, talking about eye care), some of us can use all the help we can get so we don’t end up needing more help, so if this sounds at all like it could do you some good, why not? If you don’t have a computer and don’t know anyone who does (or who you are comfortable asking) call any of the numbers at the end of this column and decent people will help you, for free. And they won’t try to sell you anything, because we don’t have anything to sell.
So, let’s conclude the day with the obvious observation that, YES! I probably am the most incredibly and inspirationally HUMBLE person there ever was!
…aw, shucks…
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