To the Editor:

“The Unending Indignities of Alzheimer’s,” by Jeneen Interlandi (Editorial Observer, Dec. 2), was a particularly poignant example of how our country is failing its elderly population. This should not be happening in the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

In the next few years, as the baby boomer generation ages, we will see a large percentage of them fall victim to Alzheimer’s. At present, our medical profession, our dementia-care facilities and our health care apparatus are not ready to deal with this emergency.

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010. After I cared for him at home for seven years, he entered the dementia-care facility connected with the continuing care residential community where we now live. I am perfectly aware that very few people in this country are as fortunate as we are to have this option.

Research into how to treat and cure this terrible disease is still a long way from finding a solution. What will it take to prevent stories such as Ms. Interlandi’s from becoming the normal expectation for those who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s?