Janssen Addresses Challenges of Caregiving in Alzheimer's Disease with New Healthy Minds Videos

TITUSVILLE, N.J., Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A new series of videos about caregiving in Alzheimer's disease is being released today by Janssen Research & Development, LLC ("Janssen") as part of its Healthy Minds video library, which offers discussions about progress in brain research, treatment options, and resources for people with brain diseases, their families, and communities. The new videos can be viewed on the Janssen Global YouTube channel.

The videos capture discussions about the challenges faced by Alzheimer's caregivers and offer strategies and resources to help them. Featured in the videos are: Meryl Comer, a leading Alzheimer's disease advocate and CEO of the Geoffrey Beene Foundation Alzheimer's Initiative; Jed Levine, Executive Vice President, Alzheimer's Association, New York Chapter; and Husseini K. Manji, M.D., a psychiatrist and Global Head of Neuroscience at Janssen. The series is hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Vicki Mabrey.

"Alzheimer's grips entire families, especially members who serve as caregivers, often women.  This fatal neurodegenerative disease makes our loved ones totally dependent and helpless as it slowly erases their minds. It jeopardizes families emotionally and financially - and makes us all second-hand victims," said Meryl Comer, a 20-year caregiver to her husband with early onset Alzheimer's and author of Slow Dancing With A Stranger: Lost And Found in the Age of Alzheimer's. "It is time to flip our pain and become empowered as pro-active partners in research. It's critical that what happens to us as caregivers be factored into the data."

About 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and by 2050 that number may grow to almost 14 million.  It is a fatal, neurological disease that affects the entire family of those diagnosed. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer's are initially cared for by a family member, typically by a spouse. The stress of caregiving can leave family members at elevated risks of developing health conditions themselves.

Jed Levine of the Alzheimer's Association, New York Chapter says, "The isolation of the caregiver is a very common situation. It is critical that caregivers reach out to the Alzheimer's community to learn as much as they can and to ask for help. The good news is that there are many resources available through the Alzheimer's Association and other organizations. The first step is for caregivers to take time for themselves to reach out for help."

The videos also address the future of Alzheimer's research and treatment. "I think we're going to conquer this disease with science," said Dr. Manji. "We're making a lot of scientific advances, certainly in our understanding as to the biology of the illness and understand how to intervene in that biology. I am very hopeful about the future."

The new videos address the following topics with Dr. Manji and guests:

• The Challenges of Caregiving
• Understanding Alzheimer's and the Caregiver Role
• Caregiver Planning and Resources
• Caregiving with Dignity and Hope for the Future

The video series is part of Janssen's Healthy Minds initiative, dedicated to advancing neuroscience research, news and information regarding mental health. The video project serves as a platform to continue Janssen's leadership and innovation in neuroscience, mental health education, public health and advocacy.

About Janssen Research & Development, LLC
At Janssen, we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs of our time in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we develop innovative products, services and healthcare solutions to help people throughout the world. Janssen Research & Development is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Please visit www.janssenrnd.com for more information.

About Janssen's Healthy Minds Program
Janssen's interests in integrated care for brain diseases have a direct connection to the Janssen Healthy Minds program, launched in 2011 to encourage collaboration among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and public-sector organizations to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for neurologic and brain diseases. Healthy Minds builds on Janssen's longstanding legacy of achievement in advancing neuroscience research. The company's work in this area dates back to the 1950s, when Dr. Paul Janssen's discovery and development work led to one of the first breakthrough treatments for schizophrenia. Janssen takes its name from "Dr. Paul," who is known as one of the 20th century's most gifted and passionate physicians and pharmaceutical researchers.

Over the last half century, Janssen has discovered, developed and launched many innovative treatments for brain and CNS conditions and remains firmly committed to neuroscience. Janssen supports public and professional education about mental illness and brain disorders, and funds sponsorships and philanthropy in the field of neuroscience and mental health.

Contact:
Greg Panico 
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
(609) 730-3061
[email protected]

SOURCE Janssen Research & Development, LLC

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