Boomer Poll Shows High Alzheimer's Anxiety

A new survey of baby boomers shows anxiety over the specter of Alzheimer's and frustration over slow cures.

In releasing the data, patient advocacy group Alliance for Aging Research called for recognition of the brain disease as an urgent national health crisis and urged stepped-up timelines for new therapies.

These survey findings underscore the fact that when baby boomers are asked to address the potential of Alzheimer's in their future, they are clearly not ready emotionally, psychologically or financially, said Daniel Perry, AAR's executive director. Many boomers are currently more focused on health issues like heart disease or arthritis and mistakenly consider AD a problem of their elders. But when asked to consider themselves at age 70 with Alzheimer's disease, there was a visceral reaction and an awakening to the reality of what could await them, he said.

They also have little confidence that policymakers, the U.S. healthcare system, or drug regulators are prepared to help them, Perry added.

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