[1] Introduction

Memory loss, in old age or sooner, is set to be one of the most important health issues of our time. While most of us can expect to live longer than our ancestors, and have the benefit of health services and healthier lifestyle choices, the fact remains that millions of us are likely to experience some degree of memory loss. Although some very positive efforts are going into research, the funding for it is tiny compared to that going into more obvious health conditions, and much more remains to be done. Meanwhile many of us have to puzzle out how we want to be cared for, or how to care for another person.