DAVENPORT, Iowa — November marks National Family Caregivers Month, and in Iowa and Illinois, there are nearly 500,000 people who are caregivers for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia. There are an estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Brad Lange is one of those caregivers, caring for his wife of nearly 40 years, Ann.
The two are high school sweethearts, meeting at Davenport West High School.
"I was a senior when she was a junior," Brad said. "We didn't know if that would ever come to pass or not, but, you know, luckily it did."
In late 2015, Ann was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's. The disease runs in her family, including her father and one of her brothers who both died from it. Brad described that diagnosis as "pretty devastating at first."
"She was just getting more, a little bit forgetful," Brad said. "Things like taking a shower and having to write on the door in suds, so shampoo, conditioner, body wash, so she didn't redo it multiple times... After seeing your father-in-law and your brother die of it, you kind of know what's going on, so it becomes a little bit more tragic."
It was around a year after her diagnosis that Ann joined a clinical trial for an Alzheimer's drug treatment, Biogen's aducanumab. The goal of the drug is to slow mental and functional decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
The drug received FDA approval in June 2021 but was surrounded by debate. Despite the debate over its effectiveness, the Langes have seen a benefit from it.
"It kind of held it off quite a bit," Brad said. "Things like the bathroom shower scene went away to where she could remember that without having to worry about it."
Ann goes to Chicago once a month to receive drug infusions. Brad has recognized that the benefits have been an ebb and flow. Around a week after receiving an infusion, he said things will start to click more for Ann, but in the week before she goes back for treatment, she'll start to slide back.
However, he's grateful for the time it has given them. Both Ann's father and brother died within six to eight years of their diagnoses.
"Ann was diagnosed in 2015 and here we are in 2022 and she still has mild cognitive assessment," Brad said. "It's kind of a miracle in a lot of aspects. We, I'll do anything to get a few more years."
Neither know if a cure will be found in their lifetimes, but Ann hopes her participation in the trial will help make a difference for the younger generations in their family.
"I'm very blessed," Ann said. "I hope... there will be a cure someday, completely. And our kids and grandkids and on don't have to worry about it."
The Alzheimer's Association has several resources available to those caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia that you can find by clicking here. It also has a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900 for immediate support.
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