Early-stage Alzheimer's patients 'don't want to be stigmatized'

By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY
Being treated with dignity is a universal human need, and perhaps even more so if you have early Alzheimer's disease, a new report indicates.
After a year of listening to the thoughts of more than 300 people diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, the Alzheimer's Association today releases "Voices of Alzheimer's Disease," which reveals many patients in the early stages of dementia feel they are prematurely perceived as debilitated — even by close friends and relatives

The report summarizes feedback from recently diagnosed patients, who, along with 700 caregivers and health professionals, attended town-hall-style meetings in four cities or participated online.

Those who have early-stage Alzheimer's don't want to be defined by their memory loss or functional decline, says Peter Reed, senior director of programs at the Alzheimer's Association.

The report says top concerns include:

• Frustration with how the stigma and.....
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New report summarizes issues voiced by those living in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease