Originally published at The Times
My mother worked until the age of 87 and the day she retired she started to get dementia. At 91 she is in a wheelchair, although there is nothing wrong with her legs — she just forgot how to walk.
Accordingly, I read with great interest and reflection last week’s report “Alzheimer’s: a curse that big pharma forgot”. Having watched the progress of dementia first hand, I agree that great responsibility sits with the medical profession and the pharmaceuticals industry in terms of the quest for more effective treatments.
However, I believe that wider society and business also have a role to play in terms of attitudes towards the elderly and in encouraging lifestyles that reduce the risk of dementia. Research suggests that the benefits.