Airport security, dementia
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Airport security measures ineffective
Stricter measures at airports to thwart potential terrorist acts are more of a nuisance than an effective tactic, according to SFU security expert Andre Gerolymatos. He says improving intelligence work is crucial to stave off future attacks, particularly as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver draw nearer.
Andre Gerolymatos, 778.782.5597; andre_gerolymatos@sfu.ca
Rise in dementia predicted
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has just released a new study calling for a national plan to mitigate the effects of a dramatic rise in dementia expected over the next few decades. The study predicts the increase will cripple families and the health care system. Several SFU researchers can provide comment:
- Andrew Wister, gerontology chair, co-led the development of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging—an ongoing, 20-year study of 50,000 Canadians between the ages of 45 and 85. Wister supports the study’s call for a national dementia plan and early diagnosis, but warns, “Since diagnosis of dementia—especially in its early stages—is still in its infancy and therefore crude, we need to be careful not to create a dementia crisis.”
Andrew Wister, 778.782.5044; wister@sfu.ca - Lillian Zimmerman, a gerontology research associate, adds, “Is it too much to suggest that the media and experts be a bit more balanced? Of course we have to know about looming health problems, but what percentage of the population will not become demented? What are the possibilities of medical breakthroughs in the next few decades? Also, given the growing cost of drugs, I’m concerned about studies which include major pharmaceutical representatives.”
Lillian Zimmerman, lillian_zimmerman@sfu.ca - Gloria Gutman, gerontology professor emerita and co-leader of the BC Network for Aging Research, cautions, “We can’t lose sight of the fact that Alzheimer's disease is recognized globally as the public health issue of the 21st century. Telling aging baby boomers to play WiiFi and other so called brain-exercise games won't do it,” says Gutman. “Until better therapeutics than are currently on the market are developed, large numbers of people will be exposed to this disease either as patients or caregivers or, if they live long enough, both.”
Gloria Gutman, 604.263.5221, 778.782.5062 (w); gutman@sfu.ca
- Habib Chaudhury, gerontology associate professor, is also a health researcher with Vancouver’s Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia and can talk about the study’s findings.
- Barbara Mitchell , gerontology/sociology associate professor, can comment on the impact of increased dementia/Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers.
Habib Chaudhury, 778.782.5232; hchaudhu@sfu.ca
Barbara Mitchell, 778.782.6628, 778.782.5234; mitchelo@sfu.ca