Survey Reveals Widespread Lack of Communication With Doctors About Memor...( Results Released as National Memo...),Health

Results Released as National Memory Screening Day Nears

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- An overwhelming majority of Americans with memory concerns had not discussed this issue with their doctors despite recent visits, and an alarming number of them reported that they have other diseases that are risk factors for dementia, according to results of a survey released yesterday at a national caregiver conference hosted by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).

These findings and others support the value of memory screenings, as well as the need to raise more awareness about the importance of being pro-active about memory problems, the AFA concluded.

"This is a call out to the nation. Individuals need to be pro-active about their own memory health, and healthcare professionals need to aggressively raise the issue and utilize available screening tools so that we can get a handle on this escalating crisis," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's chief executive officer.

The survey results were released as sites across the country ready to offer free, confidential memory screenings on National Memory Screening Day on November 13, an annual event initiated by AFA five years ago that coincides with National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month in November.

AFA announced the results t its National Concepts in Care Conference in Philadelphia for family caregivers and healthcare professionals.

The voluntary survey involved 1,902 people --- of an estimated 21,000 --- who underwent free memory screenings from coast-to-coast as part of AFA's National Memory Screening Day in 2006. The face-to-face screenings consist of a series of questions and tasks, and were administered by qualified healthcare professionals.

"The survey shows that we're effectively identifying people who need to be screened, and we're encouraging them to seek appropriate healthcare services," said Dr. Richard E. Powers, chairman of AFA's Medical Advisory
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