We got this message from a reader today:

"I was forwarded your editorial “On Record” article by a friend in our lab. I work for Bon Secours Health System, at DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Virginia. I was struck by your article in the fact that research is making breakthroughs and at the same time, people like me (I’m 54) will cause healthcare costs to skyrocket due to long term care of Alzheimer patients.

My father had “vascular dementia.” My mom took care of him for about 5 years prior to him breaking his hip. That caused both of them to move in a facility. My folks were in a long term care facility for about 3 years before my father passed away last August 2008.

I now have my own grandson. Funny, how things change that. I’m extremely concerned about what this disease does and how it affects others. I’ve tried, not successfully to get into a long term study as a way to help further knowledge. I have not been diagnosed with any issues, just working on family history. I can’t guarantee that I’ll have it, though I’m about 95 percent sure.

Other than donations to research folks (and I don’t know who is reputable), how can I assist? How can I get tested? Are these tests considered the norm?"