A Fayetteville advocate with Alzheimer’s urges NC lawmakers to expand access to early diagnostic testing.Early Alzheimer’s diagnosis can change lives. One North Carolinian explains why access to testing still lags.House Bill 567 could expand Alzheimer’s testing in NC — and improve care, diagnosis and outcomes.
Early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can improve access to care and support services, enhance quality of life and reduce the financial impact of the disease. With new treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in its early stages, early diagnosis has never been more important.
As a person living with Alzheimer’s, I’ve seen the difference that an early diagnosis can make. I was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at 58 and started to notice symptoms with my short-term memory and the processing information which was critical for my job as the Assistant City Manager in Fayetteville. After experiencing these symptoms for a while, I scheduled an appointment for a neuropsychological test and, following that, an MRI and a PET scan. The process took over 14 months before I received my diagnosis. Ultimately, an earlier diagnosis would have enabled me to spend more time with my family and friends and focus on a healthier lifestyle…