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Report: Less Than Half Of Those With Alzheim

58 views · Published 27 March 2015 · 2:46 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2015 · News & Politics

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DAYTON -- Imagine learning you have or a family member has Alzheimer's, and your doctor never told you. A stunning new report claims this is happening across the country 

It was three years ago, when Emmett and Carolyn Joseph got life-changing news... 

"Mentioned to me how I forget things... which was a shock, kind of a shock to me," said Emmett. It was Alzheimer's.

"To know that your mind is on the line, it was horrible," Carolyn explained. "But with time, we've come to both be very happy that he told us."

Only 45 percent of people with the disease are told they have it, according to a new Alzheimer's Association report.

"We knew it was happening," said Eric VanVlymen with the Alzheimer's Association Miami Valley Chapter. "But when I saw the number, I was really surprised by it."

The report states doctors document the diagnosis, but do not tell the patient. Only when the disease advances, families figure it out. 

Dr. Kenneth Pugar, a Neurologist who's an advocate for early diagnosis, says some primary care physicians perhaps do not have the time to get into it.

"Oh, by the way, I think Mom has Alzheimer's disease and walk out the door. That's going to invite a very long discussion," Dr. Pugar explained. "I think, some Doctors, too, are reluctant to give such bad news."

In other cases, he says, families are in denial.

"Many times, families and spouses they don't want to know the information."

This is where the Alzheimer's Association comes in. They have the resources - through care and support - to help families cope.

"They can make decisions and move their lives forward," VanVlymen said. "And the other thing is when nobody talks about it, everybody knows there's something wrong so then it becomes this elephant in the room nobody wants to discuss."

The Josephs are coping by staying active physically and mentally, together.

"I just feel good. I just feel good about it," Emmett said.

They are grateful for the early warning of a life-changing diagnosis.    

"For a while, I couldn't tell you all this without crying," Carolyn said. "But I've moved on, too, you know. This is it, this is where we are right now and we're going to beat it for as long as we can."

If you want information on the ten warning signs, local support groups, and other resources, visit the Alzheimer's Association Miami Valley Chapter.

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