Slowing The Onset of Alzheimer's

Leonard and Jean Georges met many years ago while attending a dance at their alma mater, the University of Wyoming. "Leonard was a great dancer and so handsome he knocked me off my feet," says Jean.

After raising three children and building a very fulfilling life together, Jean noticed small changes in Leonard's behavior eight years ago and became concerned.

"I began to realize that his business judgment was not as good as it had always been," says Jean. "Family and friends could always rely on Leonard's business judgment and recommendations. Some little glitches began occurring. He would begin asking me questions over and over again."

After a visit to their local primary care physician, Leonard and Jean were informed that he could have Alzheimer's disease, a gradual neurodegenerative condition that leads to roughly 60-70% of dementia cases. The most common early symptom of the disease is short-term memory loss, followed by more advanced complications with language, disorientation, and mood swings.

Unfortunately, there is no single clinical test that can be given identify the condition, except for an autopsy after the patient has passed. However, with recent advancements in the field, doctors have been able to increase diagnostic accuracy greatly.

"The transition from being a wife and a love, to a mommy and a caregiver because Leonard developed Alzheimer's - I lost my best friend, my love, my comrade, my business companion, I lost it all. That's the most difficult part [sic]," says Jean.

That was when Jean and Leonard decided to come to Cleveland Clinic's Lou Rouvo Center for Brain Health, in Las Vegas.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am. I absolutely love the Cleveland Clinic. I love the fact that it supports me and in supporting me, I can better support my husband."

Leonard began receiving treatment from Dr. Charles Bernick, Medical Director at the Lou Rouvo Center for Brain Health. After only three months, Leonard and Jean were able to see improvement in his overall health and cognitive functions after he was prescribed a different medication and Jean was given better support and education from the staff at Lou Rouvo.

"Many times a person like that, in a traditional medicine system, would be somewhat written off. Yet here's a gentleman who still retains a lot of dignity, you have a loving wife who is devoted to him. In offering programs to help her through this and even to work with him so that even though he may not be able to improve his condition or deficits, at least we can try to maintain as best as possible [sic]," says Dr. Bernick.

Jean believes that Cleveland Clinic's focus on the health of the caregiver being equally important as the health of the patient has been crucial in her ability to take care of Leonard every day.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am. I absolutely love the Cleveland Clinic," says Jean. "I love the fact that it supports me and in supporting me, I can better support my husband. I think the Center for Brain Health represents a passion for comfort and caring, meeting a great need."