Gift From an Aging Ex-President

The handwritten public note from Ronald Reagan that he has Alzheimer’s disease comes as sad news to all Americans, whether or not they agree with his conservative political philosophy. The former President has performed a singular and courageous service in calling attention to this little understood disease of aging.

Just as basketball legend Earvin (Magic) Johnson did for AIDS, Reagan has opened a window into what was once a matter of family shame. Barring a cure, the incidence of Alzheimer’s is certain to climb dramatically over the next two decades--because Americans are living longer. Alzheimer’s afflicts 5% of people over 65 years, 20% over 75 and 47% over 85. So it is hardly surprising that Reagan, although still physically vigorous at 83, would be experiencing the memory loss and other mental deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s. The National Institute on Aging estimates that the number of Alzheimer’s patients will grow from 4 million today to as many as 15 million by the year 2020, failing a cure.

Local offices of the Alzheimer’s Assn. around the country have been flooded with calls this week. That means the elderly and their families are getting the courage to obtain facts and help. First, a reliable diagnosis is essential: A number of treatable conditions--such as certain thyroid ailments, excessive use of multiple prescription drugs and depression--can mimic Alzheimer’s. True cases of Alzheimer’s impose an enormous burden. Families find themselves struggling to accept that a perhaps once strong parent can no longer function well and trying to find ways to provide sensitive support.

There is speculation that Reagan was suffering early symptoms when he was President. Such speculation is pointless. The more important message is that he and his wife, Nancy, have stopped trying to paper over his lapses and had the courage to raise awareness of the difficult journey many of us will ultimately make into what Reagan called the “sunset” of life.