How to Protect Your Parents From Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

One of the scariest health conditions most people are afraid to have is Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing this prompts us to exercise more, eat healthily, and go visit our physicians or doctor regularly. However, knowing this threat can cause panic and anxiety to some elderly folks that lead them to unnecessary spending on Alzheimer cure scams. The best way to go about this is to leave this alone.

Today, we will share tips on how you can protect your elderly loved ones and parents from these Alzheimer’s cure scams.

Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

Treatment scams for degenerative diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer’s are big business. Most manufacturers are knowledgeable about most elderly’s fear of Alzheimer’s and are capitalizing on it. Other than this, seniors are found to be more vulnerable to scams.

In other news, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is not taking this lightly. Efforts have been made to take down companies that are preying on the desperation of people looking for a cure for Alzheimer’s. The agency has seized products from 58 manufacturers earlier this year that wasn’t FDA approved. Unfortunately, unapproved products are still being sold to some seniors and their families who are desperate to find a cure.

Reports from the FDA says that these mix up with prescription medications that end up harming the patients who take them.

How to Protect Your Parents From Alzheimer’s Cure Scams

Now that we’re aware of the current predicament, here’s a couple of things you might consider to be helpful to see if a dementia or Alzheimer’s treatment is worth your while that are approved by the FDA as well as the Alzheimer’s Association.

• Is the product available on the FDA’s Flickr account? If so, then it’s definitely not approved for Alzheimer’s claim. In this Flickr account, you will see the products’ packaging and labels.
• Is the product claiming to cure dementia or Alzheimer’s? If so, then disregard it immediately since the FDA notes that there aren’t any cures available yet in the market yet for Alzheimer’s.
• Is the product claiming to reverse symptoms of dementia? If so, then disregard it as well since there are no treatments for reversing dementia or at the very least stopping Alzheimer’s symptoms that are FDA-approved.
• Is the product claiming to reduce risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s by a specific amount? If so, then disregard it since the FDA doesn’t have any proof to back these claims up.

Most scam products are marketed with specific and vague language that are often misleading. Scientists suggests looking for these specific types of messaging:

• Is the product claiming to be a “scientific breakthrough”? If so, then walk away. That’s a term that doesn’t mean anything in the real world.
• Is the product claiming to help with a couple of illnesses and not just Alzheimer’s? If so, then disregard it. The FDA suggests that products provides vague health claims are more often than not, scams.
• Is the product mentioning results done with animals or in the lab? If so, then these are definitely not proven to help treat people.
• Is the product claiming to “may be able” to help with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? If so, then walk away. These claims are not based on anything legitimate, better save your money for something else.

Finally, keep in mind that some dietary supplements may sound legitimate since it’s marketed for patients with Alzheimer’s and is available in any drugstore, but most of which have no support when it comes to dementia claims. You can visit the website of the Alzheimer’s Association to see the list of commonly recommended dementia and Alzheimer’s supplements. Ginko biloba and Omega-3 are some of these. In the site, you’ll be able to see what these supplements can or can’t do.

If you’re looking at a certain product and not entirely sure if it’s legitimate then better seek the advice of your loved one’s doctor. They would know it such treatment or over-the-counter medication or supplement is helpful for their health. They would also be able to know if it’s going to interfere with their current medication and will be able to tell you upfront if you’re just wasting your money away.

Other Ways to Combat Alzheimer’s Scams

If you ever encounter a product that you feel is a scam or is not legitimate, feel free to report it to the FDA. You can use the form online in reporting unlawful and illegitimate sales of products on the internet.

You also have the option to file for a complaint in the office of the attorney general where your parents are residing.
If your elderly loved ones or parents have taken supplements that caused them harm, you can report them immediately to the Department of Health and Human Services. After, you can discuss this with your parents to share with their doctor.