“Catching” Alzheimer’s
You Can Catch Alzheimer’s
“You Can Catch Alzheimer’s” the headline reads. It goes on to explain it spreads during surgeries and blood transfusions, however, the headline is obviously misleading and disturbing. A questionable study was performed that led to this conclusion. One can only wonder if this is an anecdotal study [1], or about the sample size [2], and how big the actual effect was. [3] The media demands stories with “hooks”, or novelty, and this one has it, whether there is much truth to it or not. [4] I am sure the paper sold many copies because of this headline.
Early On-set Alzheimer’s Disease
Early On-set Alzheimer’s Disease is the only form of Alzheimer’s that can be passed from one person to another, and that happens at birth according to the National Institute on Aging. [5] This is when you exhibit signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease between the ages of thirty and sixty-five years old. [6] Scientists have identified three genes with mutations that cause this form of Alzheimer’s. If you have any one of these three genes, there is a good chance of developing the disease. That is according to the Mayo Clinic. [7] If you have a parent with Early On-set Alzheimer’s Disease, you have a 50/50 chance of inheriting one of these genes, and thereby developing the disease. [8]
A Mother’s Story
In 2018, my mother died of early on-set Alzheimer’s Disease. She had lived with me the last eight years of her life. She was only 72 when she passed. In looking back to when her symptoms began, my siblings and I have concluded that her Alzheimer’s began when she was about 55 years old. It went undetected for several years. We simply thought she was getting quirkier with age. We realized there was a problem the day after I purchased a used vehicle for her while she was visiting me here in Mississippi. She made it home safely after some having a little trouble navigating through Memphis. However, she completely totaled the vehicle in her hometown of Branson, Missouri her first full day home. She was a nervous wreck driving.
A Generation Back
Years before, our grandmother also had Early Onset-Alzheimer’s, and passed away at a very early age. She was an only child. She lived with my mother for a long time, until the last few years of her life when our aunts took over responsibility for her.
So Far So Good
I have an older sister who is confident that she is going to be the one that gets this disease. If it were possible to speak it into existence, she would already have it. So far, she has no signs or symptoms of Early On-set Alzheimer’s. Personally, I would count that to be a blessing. I also have had no signs or symptoms. Praise God. In fact, to my knowledge, none of my siblings have had any trouble in this area at all.
Whom Shall I Fear?
All of this leads me to the conclusion that perhaps the statistics and headlines for this disease could be a bit misleading at times, and certainly scary. Maybe they err on the side of caution. And certainly we cannot overlook God’s sovereignty in all things. Psalm 27:1 states, “The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” [9] The answer is no one, not even Alzheimer’s disease, or the unknown future.
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[6] Zhu, Xi-Chen. 2015. “Rate of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” National Library of Medicine, Annals of Translational Medicine 3, no. 3 (March): 38. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.01.19.
[7] Mayo Clinic, “Alzheimer’s Genes: Are You At Risk?” May 2021, November 2022, tinyurl.com/ybtkx8wh.
[8] National Institute on Aging, “Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Fact Sheet,” December 2019, November 2022, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet.
[9] Crossway Bibles, ed. 2007. ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. ESV text ed. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, p. 587.
About the Author
Tonette Kellett
Missionary, teacher, Bible student, traveler ... Having lived in Kenya and Korea, I now live in Mississippi and work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.14 responses to ““Catching” Alzheimer’s”
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Tonette,
Your blog turned into a lovely tribute to your faith in the Lord and your love for your mother. You cared for her 8 years! I love the picture of you and her-you both look radiant! Thank you for sharing this.
I learned a lot about Alzheimers in your blog. Thank you for this information! Ages 30-65…this is new information for me. My husbands mother has alzheimers and it is very sad to see her decline.
Your citations are impeccable!!! You did some WORK on this blog.
It is my prayer that you and your siblings will continue to be covered by God’s grace in your health. Your heart comes shining through this blog with Psalm 27:1!
Kristy,
Thank you for your comments. You are always so encouraging with your words. Let me also be an encouragement to you and your husband in your journey with his mother. Find joy where you can each day. Sometimes there will be joy hidden even in the things that would otherwise make you cry. And treasure these times when she is feisty and repetitive and perhaps even hard to deal with, because there comes a day when they stop communicating altogether. Those days are not nearly as exhausting, but are much more difficult to bear. Finally, spend as much time as possible with her. You will never regret it. Much love and prayer and empathy for your family in this journey.
Hi Tonette
Thank you for sharing how this book reflects on your personal experience. I agree that this headline sold a number of copies for the various news organizations that picked it. I appreciate the research you brought together to give a more informed alternative.
How often do you and your sibling talk about the 50/50 chance? While those are more reliable odds, I know that your faith, experience and family will demonstrate that you are not alone or uniformed about how to thrive with a difficult disease. Thank you for sharing.
Chad,
Believe it or not, we rarely speak of the odds of one or more of us getting Alzheimer’s. We have that sister who claims ahead of time it will be her and occasionally will make a comment to that effect. Otherwise, I think it is a touchy subject. We all just press on day to day.
Thank you for your question.
Tonette,
I absolutely loved learning more about your family, and your family history. Alzheimer’s does not define you, your siblings or your mother. It is however an important part of your story.
Have you been able to find credible research on Alzheimer’s to guide your family?
Alana,
I have found credible research on Early Onset-Alzheimer’s. However, my siblings just do not discuss the disease now that our mom has passed. So I basically keep it to myself. It is there in my mind and heart in the event a real discussion get stirred up.
Thank you for your question.
Tonette, thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to your family and your faith walk. I love your confidence in the Lord. I agree with you that the article on “catching Alzheimer’s” probably sold many copies. It seems like sensationalism in the news has only gotten more outlandish. How do we encourage people to look beyond the headlines and be better thinkers? I am not sure if there is an answer, but would love to hear your thoughts.
Becca,
Thank you for your question. It is a difficult one for sure, as the lack of thinking through statements put forth in media seems pervasive in our society. If there was an easy fix to that, I it seems we would have already instituted it.
Making this book required reading in high school or college would be a terrific place to begin. I felt it was eye-opening. It makes the reader question all numbers used in the media, and how they are used.
Tonnette, this was beautifully written, informative, and personal. Thank you for sharing your story of your mother. Yes, yes, and amen to Psalm 27:1! There is no reason to fear. We are safe in the love of God.
When you come across studies or statements about Alzheimer’s, what is your mental dialogue?
David,
Having journeyed through Alzheimer’s with my mother so closely all the way to the end of it here on this earth, just even the word elicits strong emotions in me. I feel a deep empathy for other caregivers that are walking that road with their own loved ones today. There is sometimes a bit of wonder in my mind, whether or not it lies in my own future. I extinguish those thoughts with Scripture, where my hope and security lie. I am not going to live in fear of the future. Nor will I embrace a devastating disease and claim it for my own, as my sister chooses to do.
Thank you for your question.
Thanks for sharing, Tonette; your post describes a massive problem in the media today. Throw in a few statistics and research reports, and you’ve got them! Social media has now taken it to another level. Indeed God remains sovereign, and it makes a considerable difference resting in his peaceful presence.
Jean,
That is where I lay my head at night to rest … on His sovereignty. I trust Him in all things, and that includes this genetic disease.
Tonette,
I enjoyed reading your post. It really resonated with me when you were describing how your sibling should have Alzheimer’s already because of speaking it into existence.
My mother has not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but she is definitely forgetting things and her short term memory is not good. For the past 20 years she has spoken her memory issues over her life. She would often get very upset with me for trying to remind her how powerful our words are over our lives. Although I have not been able to influence her behavior in the matter – I have be ever so watchful regarding the words I speak – particularly concerning my health and cognitive abilities.
Thank you for sharing.
Audrey,
Thank you for your comment. I agree that if we are not careful we will speak things into existence into our lives. Words are very powerful. It is for that very reason that I have tried to admonish my sister not to say those things. I have to say that she is saying them less frequently around me lately, so perhaps she is taking my advice. I don’t know.