You might talk with Bob Ehlers for an hour and find it hard to believe he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease four years ago.
The 62-year-old man was vice president of product management for a semiconductor software company in Portland when he first noticed trouble with his memory.
“Meetings were difficult. I forgot a whole week of time,” said Bob, who now lives in Litchfield Park, Arizona. “Am I as sharp as a tack? Well, some people say they can’t tell I have a problem. But I can tell, and my wife can tell. Obviously, the tests and everything can tell.”
Bob has mild cognitive impairment from the disease, which affects nearly 7 million Americans and is projected to impact 13 million people in the U.S. by 2050. “Whether it’s minor or major (for me) depends on the day,” he says.
Making a difference through clinical trials
Instead of wallowing, Ehlers chose to empower himself and help many others. He moved to Arizona and enrolled in a clinical trial at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute called Clarity AD, designed to evaluate an investigational drug for adults who suffer from memory loss.
“I knew there weren’t a lot of alternatives to stop the progression of the disease. There’s a lot of symptom treatment, but not a lot that actually acts on the cause,” he said. “Taking part in a clinical trial has felt encouraging, and my experience has been terrific.”
Bob has been involved in the study for more than four years.
“I didn’t have to pay for my treatment, which is another big motivator to be in a clinical trial,” he said. The study arranges for his rides to the facility via Lyft and provides lunch when he comes in to receive treatments. In the process, he’s learned a lot about self-care, diet and exercise, and connected with helpful support groups.
He was especially proud last year when the FDA approved the drug lecanemab as a treatment for the disease. “The drug was approved based on the tests I participated in,” he said. “I felt great about that.”
Helping others
Bob serves as a valued member of the Banner Alzheimer’s Early-Stage Advisory Council, providing input on programs and projects to better accommodate and support others living with memory loss.
In addition, he volunteers for the nonprofit organization SCORE helping entrepreneurs start or grow a business and at the Litchfield Park Heritage Center. Using his previous experience in technology, Bob also launched a nonprofit called Conexo Casa designed to make the Internet more accessible and easier for people with neuro-cognitive disorders.
“You have to set lofty goals for yourself to stay engaged and remain social, so the brain gets working,” he said.
Bob enjoys spending time with his wife of 17 years, Charlotte, often camping around Arizona. They have five children, two beloved mini schnauzers, Stuey and Holly, and a cat named Wiggy.
“Being able to get into state-of-the-art treatments with state-of-the-art people and state-of-the-art resources supporting me has been a godsend,” Bob said.
Additional resources
- Learn more about Banner’s clinical trials and how you can get involved.
- Read other patient stories from the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
