http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6036519.stm

"The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said donepezil,
rivastigmine and galantamine could be used to treat moderate stage disease.
Campaigners had argued patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's should
also have access to the £2.50-per-day drugs"

AFAICS the effect of this is either that patients get to middle stage
earlier (and probably die quicker?) or more likely, that people will pay for
the drugs privately, or dont get them and so the burden on them is greater.

EIther way its the state shifting the care onto the carers for £2.50 (US $5)
day.

However, it has been pointed out that people in early stage might be able to
fake the MMSE test, (just get a few more answers wrong) thereby getting
themselves classified as mid stage and getting the drug! And since we all
know the drugs work in early  stage, people on the drug will then be better
able to fake the test for the future.

So, UK advice is to get your LO to try and do badly on the test.