I am very lucky to have lovely and kind parents, and funny sisters that keep me laugh and supportive brothers that lend me money!! Not to forget my friends with whom I've shared so many good and hard experiences - we help each other.. we care for each other... we 'remember' each other. And this is what binds us together... we remember how funny things made us laugh and how hardship made us stick together and stand for each other. Yes we remember.. and this is what makes us, us. 

What if the most precious of all treasures, one's memory of their loveones, of all moments of life they cherish, of their home, of their neighborhood, of their entire world... what if all this is to be forgotten. What does it feel like to live in a world where memory is confined to the present few minutes or even seconds. It is an experience that only a patient with Alzheimer's disease can tell us about. 

Alzheimer's is a disease of the personhood. It results in memory impairment which progresses gradually and manifests eventually with interference in the physical, social and psychological aspects of life of affected individuals. Initially the person may forget a hitherto remembered birthday or anniversary and need reminding of the day and date. Later on, there is a tendency into losing their way in a familiar territory and failure to recognize a member in their family.

About 35 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's disease - 5.5 million in the US and nearly 1 million in the UK. The disease incidence doubles every 5 years after the age of 65 years. One American study suggested that the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will double (ie about 13 million people affected) by mid-century as the aging population increases.  This tide of dementia will not only increase economic burden but also test our already existing resources.