Home Test for Alzheimer’s – Will You Take the Test?

 HOME TEST FOR ALZHEIMERS

This morning, I received an update from the Alzheimer’s Association

“On Thursday, April 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have approved at-home genetic testing through the 23andMe Personal Genome Service Genetic Health Risk (GHR) test, which tests for genes associated with risk of 10 diseases or conditions, including late-onset Alzheimer’s. People will be able to send 23andMe a saliva sample and receive their genetic data back through the mail.”

You can find and read the entire article here -> Alzheimer’s Association blog.

I understand it can be unsettling to learn about a family member with Alzheimer’s, even more so when it pertains to yourself. Some folks want the information and others do not. Would you want to know? 

I’m not certain I would have wanted that information had it been available to me before my Mom battled the disease.

I knew Mom wasn’t the only one in our family to have Alzheimer’s.  Though otherwise healthy, My Mom, Grandmother and Uncle all died with Alzheimer’s. I felt fairly certain I’d be next with or without a test after my Mom passed away with Alzheimer’s.

Now, Nine years after my Mom’s passing, I no longer wonder or guess. I know why my thoughts sometimes disappear in seconds. I’m not surprised to learn that I’ve forgotten an entire conversation from the evening before.

I often forget where I put the paperwork hubby told me to store in a safe place. And when he asks if I’ve taken my regimen of pills every morning, I always answer, “uh huh.” But my head is struggling to remember until I search my pill bottle and count.

The kind thing for me is that I do understand what’s happening. I don’t cry with confusion, pain or anger as my Mother did. We had no idea what was wrong with her in the beginning.

I skipped those days of not knowing what was wrong and for that I’m grateful,  I gave up my car keys a year ago, (not so willingly) but I knew it had to be done, and why, and was not nearly as heart broken as my mother had been.

Of course the day will come when I forget that I’m forgetting. I won’t be aware, but my family will because we’ve done this before.

My daughter lives with us and we have many long talks about my future. She helps me now and accepts what I want in my future. I’m glad I can make long term choices and have someone be certain that my wishes are kept. Hubby isn’t nearly as accepting of parts of my future, and doesn’t like hearing any of it.

It’s a tough disease to deal with. It’s hard to make choices now, that shouldn’t come till the end of your life. Yet, it has to be done and I’m glad I can do it and save the burden from my loved ones.

Through this new genetic testing, you can make your own decisions about some things. I’m glad that those who prefer to make their own decisions will have the opportunity to learn if this disease is in their genes. Not everyone wants to know, but some do and this will make it happen for them. I think Knowledge is always a good thing— (Exception: the infirm who are unaware of their circumstance)

How do you feel about this? Let us know and share your thoughts…

~Sandy