Introduction to Alzheimer’s disease
Are you in the age of mid-60s and unable to remember or memorize the things? If it is so, you may possibly have Alzheimer’s disease. Even though everyone has episodes of some forgetfulness from time to time, however, this condition should be considered as a serious problem when this Memory loss affecting our daily activities, such as an ability to keep appointments, unable to remember friends, family, and community, etc. Read now this Alzheimer wiki content and learn Alzheimer disease causes symptoms treatment.
What is the Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder which is irreversible and a progressive form of dementia. It slowly damages the brain’s intellectual functions such as memory, orientation, calculation and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
In most of the people, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms usually appear later in life, generally in their mid-60s. It can also be seen in the people as young as age 30. Estimates vary, but experts say that more than 5.5 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s.
Difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Sometimes the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” can be used interchangeably but these two conditions aren’t the same. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia which is a broader term for conditions with symptoms relating to memory loss such as forgetfulness and confusion.
Dementia is a broad term which includes more specific conditions. The specific conditions are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and others, which can cause these symptoms.
What are the types of Alzheimer’s disease?
Read now about types of Alzheimer’s disease
Almost everyone with Alzheimer’s disease will have the same symptoms such as memory loss, confusion or trouble with identifying familiar faces and making decisions. Though the effects of Alzheimer’s disease are similar, there are two main types. The types of Alzheimer’s disease are:
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s
- Late-onset Alzheimer’s
Early-onset Alzheimer’s: This type of Alzheimer’s disease can take place in the people who are age below 65 like in their 40s or 50s. It’s rare to have early-onset for all people with Alzheimer’s. People with Down syndrome have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have found how the early-onset Alzheimer’s is different from other types of the disease. People with early-onset tend to have more of the brain changes that are linked with Alzheimer’s. The early-onset form found to appear with a defect in a specific part of a person’s DNA: chromosome 14. Myoclonus, a form of muscle twitching and spasm is also very common in early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Late-onset Alzheimer’s: This is the most common form of the Alzheimer’s disease which occurs in the people age 65 and above. It may or may not present in families. Still, researchers haven’t found the gene that causes it. There is no idea for scientists why only some people get it and others don’t.
Alzheimer’s disease Causes
Find here the causes of Alzheimer’s disease
There is no single cause for Alzheimer’s disease. Many factors influence when Alzheimer’s disease begins. The Alzheimer’s causes include:
- Deposits of proteins called amyloid and TAU distort communication between brain cells
- Levels of acetylcholine that helps transmit messages between cells of the brain begin to drop, causing communication problems
- Eventually, brain cells themselves are affected and begin to shrivel and die, causing certain areas of the brain to shrink
- Changes in the brain
- Genetics 101
- Late-Onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Early-Onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Research suggests that Health, Environmental, and Lifestyle factors play a role in the development and course of Alzheimer’s disease.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
Find here Stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, which means the symptoms will eventually become worse. The stages of Alzheimer are:
PRE-SYMPTOMATIC: First stages of Alzheimer
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease existence is evident long before in a person’s body.
MILD: Second stages of Alzheimer
The mild Alzheimer’s disease is the first stage of the disease that may cause a loss of energy and impulsiveness, mood swings, confusion, trouble communicating, and difficulty organizing. Those with this mild Alzheimer’s disease may become withdrawn, avoiding new people and places, preferring the familiar. Understandably, they can also become angry and frustrated.
MODERATE: Third stages of Alzheimer
The moderate Alzheimer’s is the second stage Alzheimer’s disease, the patient need help to carry out anything except simple tasks. There is a chance of losing recent events and personal histories and confused with the past.
SEVERE: Fourth stages of Alzheimer
Third-stage is the severe stage of Alzheimer’s disease that improves a person’s disability with possible loss of the ability to feed oneself, to speak, to recognize people and to control bodily functions. Memory weakens still further and may nearly disappear. The patient’s weakened physical state can lead to other diseases and breathing problems especially for those confined to bed.
Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s signs
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- Difficulty remembering things that just happened.
- Inability to plan or solve problems.
- Losing track of dates, seasons and time.
- Misplacing things
- Mood and personality changes
- Poor decision-making
- Struggling with conversations
- Trouble completing familiar tasks
- Vision problems
- Withdrawal from social or work activities
Alzheimer’s Symptoms
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Find here Alzheimer’s disease symptoms
People having trouble in following instructions, losing their orientation, displaying poor judgment are all possible mental symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The other Alzheimer’s symptoms include:
- Memory loss affecting daily activities, such as an ability to keep appointments, managing money, shopping, or driving
- Trouble with familiar tasks, such as using a microwave
- Difficulties with problem-solving
- Trouble with speech or writing
- Becoming disoriented about times or places
- Decreased judgment
- Decreased personal hygiene
- Mood and personality changes
- New or recent memories are difficult to recall
- Older or more distant memories are gradually lost
- Difficulty expressing thoughts as spoken words
- Difficulty carrying out simple instructions
- Difficulty interpreting familiar faces like friends, family, and community or other well-known objects
- Delusions -irrational beliefs, especially about being persecuted or having your belongings stolen
- Hallucinations -seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or being touched by something that isn’t really there
- Person becomes aggressive or may begin to wander away from home if left alone.
Dos and don’ts of Alzheimer’s disease
There are Alzheimer’s some dos and don’ts which can help:
Alzheimer’s Do’s
- Write yourself notes.
- Place your things in the same place each day.
- Spend some time to Play word games or do crossword puzzles.
- Talk about your feelings with someone you trust such as your spouse, partner, pastor or counselor.
- Keep active and exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Only drink alcohol within recommended limits
- Control high blood pressure
- Keep cholesterol at a healthy level.
Alzheimer’s Don’ts
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t Treat Them Like a Child
- Don’t be Left Out: Stay informed
- Never argue, instead agree
- Never reason, instead divert
- Never shame, instead of distract
- Never lecture, instead reassure
- reminisce instead of saying remember
- Repeat but don’t say ‘I told you so’
- Never command, instead ask
- Never condescend, instead encourage
- Never force, instead reinforce
Effects of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease includes the number of devastating effects if the symptoms continue to progress without treatment because Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease where the symptoms are likely to worsen over time and possibly lead to the following outcomes:
- Inability to perform or complete tasks without assistance
- Drastic changes in personality and temperament
- Impairment with language and overall communication
- Withdrawal or isolation from friends and loved ones
- Permanent memory loss
- Disorientation to people and places that were once familiar
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Inability to communicate pain
- Inability to communicate symptoms of illnesses
- Difficulty swallowing
- Self-injurious behavior
- Increased vulnerability to developing pneumonia and other infections
- Injuries due to falling
- Poor balance
- Difficulty controlling bowel and bladder functioning
- A sense of loss of self
Risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease
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Doctors haven’t determined a single cause of Alzheimer’s disease but they have identified certain risk factors. The Alzheimer’s disease risk factors are:
- Age: Most of the people with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 years of age or older.
- Family history: you’re more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease if you have any immediate family member who has this condition.
- Genetics: Certain genes can be the reason for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
- These risk factors raise your risk level for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Obesity: Obesity is also one of the reasons that help in the development of
- High blood pressure: Researchers say that high Blood Pressure in older adults can cause Alzheimer’s disease. It is also said that high blood pressure can also increases the risk of heart disease.
- High cholesterol levels: A high cholesterol level in adults can be a risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Complications involved in Alzheimer’s disease:
Alzheimer’s cause memory and language loss, impaired judgment, and other cognitive changes results in complicate treatment for other health conditions due to which a person with Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to:
- Communicate that he or she is experiencing pain — for example, from a dental problem
- Report symptoms of another illness
- Follow a prescribed treatment plan
- Notice or describe medication side effects
As Alzheimer’s disease move to its last stages where brain changes begin to affect physical functions like swallowing, balance, and bowel and bladder control. These last stage effects can increase the vulnerability to additional health problems such as:
- Inhaling food or liquid into the lungs (aspiration)
- Pneumonia and other infections
- Falls
- Fractures
- Bedsores
- Malnutrition or dehydration
Diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease
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Learn here how is Alzheimer’s diagnosed.
Well experienced physicians can correctly diagnose Alzheimer’s disease maximum based on mental and behavioral symptoms, a physical examination, and laboratory tests. To improve the diagnosis process, scientists have recently developed a number of new biomarker and brain scanning techniques.
The doctor will likely start diagnosis of Alzheimer by taking a medical history of the patient by asking some of diagnose Alzheimer questionnaire about
- Symptoms
- Family medical history
- Other current or past health conditions
- Current or past medications
- Diet,
- Alcohol intake,
- Lifestyle habits
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Alzheimer Test
Find here the Alzheimer test
Alzheimer’s Test – What it is?
Will Alzheimer’s test give a idea about the best method to Alzheimer’s cure?
Alzheimer’s test help in Alzheimer’s treatment and care.
Alzheimer’s – 1 st Test
After knowing the health status of the patient, Firstly, the doctor may check the mental status of a patient. This can help them assess the short-term memory, long-term memory and orientation to place and time. For example, they may ask you what day it is, who the president is, etc. to remember a short list of words.
Alzheimer’s – 2 nd Test
Next, they will likely conduct a physical exam like checking your blood pressure, heart rate and test your temperature.
Alzheimer’s – 3 rd Test
You may also have to go through a neurological exam which helps your doctor to rule out other possible diagnoses such as an acute medical issue like infection or stroke. During this exam, your doctor will check your muscle tone, reflexes and speech.
Alzheimer’s – 4 th Test
Doctor can also performs the medical exam will usually include a general physical, blood tests, and urinalysis. The doctor may also order brain-imaging scans. These scans will take pictures of your brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI scan can help to identify key markers such as inflammation, bleeding, and structural issues in the head.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: CT scans take X-ray images can help your doctor look for abnormal characteristics in your brain.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: PET scan images can help your doctor to identify plaque buildup. Plaque is the type of protein substance related to Alzheimer’s symptoms.
In some cases, they may collect urine and blood samples for testing in a laboratory to check for genes that may indicate you have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s pathology
The Alzheimer’s disease characteristic pathology includes the progressive atrophy of cortical and sub-cortical structures and there are neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid containing senile plaques throughout the brain.
Many neurotransmitters are affected due to which there is widespread loss of neurones which contains acetylcholine and correlates well with the degree of cognitive impairment observed clinically. There are more numerous and widespread in Alzheimer’s disease but both the neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques occur in normal ageing.
Presenting features of Alzheimer’s pathology:
The following are the various features presenting the Alzheimer’s pathology.
- poor memory
- disorientation as an early sign which can lead to perplexity, fear and wandering as the illness progresses
- coarsening’ of premorbid personality traits
- gradual deterioration of social skills and behaviour
- non-specific mood changes: depressed, euphoric, flattened or labile
- Frontal and parietal lobe signs.
Alzheimer’s eye test
A routine eye exam may soon be able to detect your risk of Alzheimer’s disease but the bold claim is supported by a flurry of recent research and $30 million from Bill Gates and others in order to develop a reliable and affordable test for Alzheimer’s.
Gates said in announcing the investment in July that We need a better way of diagnosing Alzheimer’s similar to a simple blood test or eye exam but before we’re able to slow the progression of the disease.
An Alzheimer’s eye test took a step toward reality in October that is when a Toronto startup licensed University of Minnesota research for developing a tool to spot the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in a patient’s eyes.
Alzheimer’s test online
The following are the various online test used for detecting an Alzheimer’s disease.
The SAGE Test
SAGE elaborated as Self-Administered Geocognitive Examination and it is not exactly self-administered it does not require a doctor. This is the gold standard of Alzheimer’s tests on the Internet developed by the Department of Neurology at Ohio State University.
It is found to be 80% effective at identifying persons with memory challenges but will not result in a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. It is a simple test where the test itself is meant to be downloaded, printed and self-administered and the results are meant to be interpreted by a medical professional. However, the scoring instructions are also available online and they are not especially challenging so that a non-professional adult can also understand and easily score the results of the test.
In simple words, a family member can give this test to their loved one and accurately understand the results of the test without consulting a medical professional. What happens after the test or does require a medical professional or should the test taker be found to have memory challenges. The SAGE test takes approximately 10-20 minutes to complete and the scoring process takes only 5-10 minutes.
Mini-Cog
The Mini-Cog requires a test administrator and plays an active role, thus it differs slightly from the SAGE Test. Only about 5 minutes of time are required to administer the test with less than one minute to score the test and interpret the results.
The role of test administration is not challenging and can be performed by any healthy adult for which no medical training is required. The results permit the administrator to know if further action is necessary but do not diagnosis dementia.
One can download the test but it is important that only the administrator view this document, not the test taker.
Neurotrack
Neurotrack is a different sort of test as it takes a snapshot of one’s mental acuity and allows one to track any progression over time and it does not measure mental acuity compared to the greater population. In recent days, one can see a decline over time if they are suffering from MCI, Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
The other way the test differs is the system tracks acuity through eye motion tracked using a computer’s webcam instead of written acuity challenges. Some persons consider this as a more passive approach whereas some others have difficulty in accepting the test as valid.
However, in both cases, Neurotrack may be best used in combination with one of the other tests described above and at the time of writing this test you require an email address.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
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Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disease. Once the diagnosis is done, mental function usually declines over 3 to 20 years i.e. on average, 10 years until death.
Will medication helps you in Alzheimer’s treatment?
Learn all about Alzheimer’s disease treatment here.
- Currently, medications for Alzheimer’s can help for a time with memory symptoms and other cognitive changes. But these cannot cure the disease completely.
- Creating a safe and supportive environment
- Lifestyle and home remedies play a role in maintaining cognitive health and promote good health. This include
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Social engagement and activities
Other Alzheimer’s treatments
Lifestyle changes may help you manage your condition in addition to medication. For instance, your doctor may develop strategies that help you or your loved one:
- Focus on tasks
- Limit confusion
- Avoid confrontation
- Get enough rest every day
- Stay calm
Non-Medical Therapies for Alzheimer’s
- Music Therapy
- Pet Therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Storytelling or scrapbooking
- Art therapy
- Religious activities
Alzheimer’s specialists
Your primary care doctor refers you to the right kind of specialists as needed for diagnosing and treating AD and these specialists may include the following:
Geriatrician
Geriatricians are medical doctors who know whether symptoms indicate a serious problem work with older adults.
Geriatric psychiatrist
Geriatric psychiatrists can assess memory and thinking problems and are specialized in mental and emotional problems of older adults.
Geropsychologist
Geropsychologists assess, intervene and consult with you and other professionals regarding the care of a person with AD and are specialize in the mental health needs of the elderly and their families.
Neurologist
Neurologists are physicians who use brain scans, like CT and head MRI scans, to help make a diagnosis and focuses on the abnormalities of the brain and central nervous system.
Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists can help determine a person’s specific impairments and how severe they are. They generally perform tests of memory and thinking, as well as other tests, collectively referred to as neuropsychological testing. They also correlate test results with the results of neurological tests such as CT and MRI scans in order to help make a diagnosis.
Tips for choosing a medical provider
After developing a potential list of AD providers, contact their office and determine whether they could be the right doctor for your loved one. The following are the questions to ask on the first phone call can include:
- What insurance types do you accept?
- What types of services are offered for those with AD?
- Are there any special qualifications or behavioral needs your practice works with or doesn’t work with (for instance, behavioral difficulties or sleep abnormalities)?
- How is the staff trained in AD and dementia?
- Do any support staff members have special credentials related to AD care?
What you can do?
Prepare for your appointment by writing down as much information as possible to share with your doctor which may include:
- Medical history including any past or current diagnoses
- Family medical history
- Medical team including the name and contact information of any current physician, mental health professional or therapist
- Medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal medications or other dietary supplements
- Symptoms, including specific examples of changes in memory or thinking skills
What to expect from your doctor?
Your doctor might ask a number of the following questions to understand changes in memory or other thinking skills and if you are accompanying someone to an appointment, then be prepared to provide your perspective as needed. Your doctor may ask the following questions:
- What kinds of memory difficulties and mental lapses are you having?
- When did you first notice them?
- Are they steadily getting worse, or are they sometimes better and sometimes worse?
- Have you stopped doing certain activities, such as managing finances or shopping, because these activities were too mentally challenging?
- How is your mood?
- Do you feel depressed, sadder or more anxious than usual?
- Have you gotten lost lately on a driving route or in a situation that’s usually familiar to you?
- Has anyone expressed unusual concern about your driving?
- Have you noticed any changes in the way you tend to react to people or events?
- Do you have more energy than usual, less than usual or about the same?
- What medications are you taking?
- Are you taking any vitamins or supplements?
- Do you drink alcohol? How much?
- Have you noticed any trembling or trouble walking?
- Are you having any trouble remembering your medical appointments or when to take your medication?
- Have you had your hearing and vision tested recently?
- Did anyone else in your family ever have memory trouble?
- Were any of your family members ever been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?
- Do you act out your dreams while sleeping (punch, flail, shout, scream)?
- Do you snore?
Alzheimer’s diet
The following is the Nutrition diet that should be followed by an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s.
- At least three servings of whole grains a day
- Green leafy vegetables (such as salad) at least six times a week
- Other vegetables at least once a day
- Berries at least twice a week
- Red meat less than four times a week
- Fish at least once a week
- Poultry at least twice a week
- Beans more than three times a week
- Nuts at least five times a week
- Fried or fast food less than once a week
- Mainly olive oil for cooking
- Less than a tablespoon of butter or margarine a day
- Less than a serving of cheese a week
- Less than five pastries or sweets a week
- One glass of wine or other alcoholic drink a day
How does Alzheimer’s cause death?
Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths have been at rise over the past 16 years irrespective of race, sex, and ethnicity category. This will most likely continue to increase as the population continues to age.
More caregivers are needed to care in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease is very great because the persons with Alzheimer’s disease are dying at home, and this means more.
- The death rate due to Alzheimer’s disease has increased 55% from 1999 to 2014.
- In 2014, over 93,500 deaths across all 50 states and the District of Columbia occurred due to Alzheimer’s disease.
- The number of deaths in medical facilities has declined from 15% to 7% in the same period.
- The number of Alzheimer’s deaths at home has increased from 14% to 25%.
- Deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease increased among adults 75 years or older.
- Counties with the highest death rates from Alzheimer’s were primarily in the southeast with some additional areas in the Midwest and West.
Is alzheimer’s hereditary?
Alzheimer’s disease is not caused by the genes received from a person’s parents and is not usually hereditary. This does not mean that another member of the family will necessarily develop it though several members of a family have in the past been diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease because the majority cases of Alzheimer’s disease are not genetic.
It is not unusual for two or more family members over the age of 65 to have it though the disease is so common in the elderly.
Everyone risks developing the disease at some time whether or not there are other members of a family with Alzheimer’s disease and it is now known that there is a gene found on chromosome 19 and it is responsible for the production of a protein called apolipoprotein E (ApoE) that affects this risk.
There are three main types of this protein which include (ApoE4), though rare but make it more likely that Alzheimer’s disease will occur and does not cause the disease but increases the likelihood.
Alzheimer’s Prevention Tips
There are no perfect preventive measures due to which there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. But, researchers are focusing on ways of preventing cognitive decline with overall healthy lifestyle habits.
The following Alzheimer’s Prevention care tips that may help:
- Quit smoking.
- Exercise regularly.
- Try cognitive training exercises.
- Eat a plant-based diet.
- Consume more antioxidants.
- Live an active social life.
Keep in mind before making the big changes in your lifestyle to talk with your doctor. Find here cure for Alzheimer’s.
Steps for creating a safe and supportive environment:
Adapting the living situation as per the needs of a person suffering with Alzheimer’s disease is an important part of any treatment plan. Establishing and strengthening routine habits and minimizing memory-demanding tasks can make life much easier for someone with Alzheimer’s.
You can adapt these steps in order to support the person’s sense of well-being and continued ability to function:
- Always keep keys, wallets, mobile phones and other valuables in the same place at home, so they don’t become lost.
- Keep medications in a secure location.
- Use a daily checklist to keep track of dosages.
- Arrange for finances to be on automatic payment and automatic deposit.
- Carry a mobile phone with location capability so that a caregiver can track its location.
- Program important phone numbers into the phone.
- Make sure regular appointments are on the same day at the same time as much as possible.
- Use a calendar or whiteboard in the home to track daily schedules.
- Build the habit of checking off completed items.
- Remove excess furniture, clutter and throw rugs.
- Install sturdy handrails on stairways and in bathrooms.
- Ensure that shoes and slippers are comfortable and provide good traction.
- Reduce the number of mirrors because people with Alzheimer’s may find images in mirrors confusing or frightening.
- Make sure that the person with Alzheimer’s carries identification or wears a medical alert bracelet.
- Keep photographs and other meaningful objects around the house.
Self-care for Alzheimer’s disease
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If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease then it is important for you to adopt a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Know its risk factors and prevention, signs and symptoms, screening and diagnosis, and treatments.
Through this alzheimer’s care self-knowledge, you can manage care for yourself or a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Some alzheimer’s self-care tips to maintain good health are:
- Keep your mind active by regular exercise and a nutritious diet.
- Consult the doctor immediately after symptoms arise. Go to regular checkups and establish a relationship with a physician you trust.
- Establish a routine for diet and exercise.
- Create a team that understands your physical health needs and can help you monitor and respond to the changes that occur.
- Take rest when you are tired.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or drink minimal amounts.
- Do not change medications and/or dosages without your doctor’s confirmation.
Activities for Alzheimer’s patients
The following are the stimulating activities for Alzheimer’s that you can try with your senior loved one:
- Bake or cook simple recipes together.
- Clean around the house. Try other household tasks such as sweep the patio; wipe the table, fold towels as they help the person feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Do arts and crafts, such as knitting and painting and keep patterns and tools simple.
- Look at books the person used to enjoy.
- Organize household or office items, particularly if the person used to take pleasure in organizational tasks.
- Read the newspaper.
- Play music or sing songs.
- Tend the garden or visit a botanical garden.
- Watch family videos.
- Work on puzzles.
How Stimulating Activities Impact People With Alzheimer’s?
Hobbies and interests which give pleasure are important after a disease diagnosis. So keep the senior loved ones active in hobbies and interests.
Stimulating activities can help people with Alzheimer’s:
- Encourage self-expression
- Foster emotional connections with others
- Lessen any anxiety and irritability that Alzheimer’s may bring
- Make people with Alzheimer’s feel more engaged
- Stir memories
Memory clinics and centers
Alzheimer’s disease Research Centers are the places with teams of specialists with helps in diagnosis and care if needed. A geriatrician will review your loved one’s general health whereas a neuropsychologist can test their thinking and memory, a neurologist can use scanning technology to “see” inside their brain. Tests often are done on-site and they can shorten the time required to make a diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s Help
Find here Alzheimer’s Help sources. Through these sources, you can learn more about Alzheimer disease causes symptoms treatment and preventive care, awareness programs & Alzheimer facts.
Alzheimer’s association
The Alzheimer’s Association is likely the charity you’re most familiar and involves Alzheimer’s disease awareness. It’s the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to this cause, it was named the Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc in 1980.
The organization serves as an excellent resource to support both people with Alzheimer’s and has many local chapters in different communities and dementia as well as their caregivers. They consider providing education, resources for families and professionals, research funding, advocacy, local support.
Some of the Alzheimer’s events include:
The Longest Day: An annual call on June 21 is recognized as the longest day of the year in order to remember and advocate for those with Alzheimer’s who often feel like many days are very long.
The Walk for Alzheimer’s: Here you are encouraged to get donors for Alzheimer’s to sponsor a community walk in September each year.
Alzheimer’s charity
If your life or the life of your loved one has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia and are interested in learning how you can give back. Here are some of the top charities and organizations based on their size, financial data, and scope of services provided in the United States. Find out how you can make a difference among them.
- Alzheimer’s Association
- American Brain Foundation
- Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
- Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
- Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation
- Bright Focus
- Lewy Body Dementia Association
- Alzheimer’s Family Services Center
- Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation
Alzheimer society of Canada
More than 700,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia today and this number is expected to top 1.4 million by 2031. However, age remains the biggest risk factor due to which dementia can occur in people as early as age 40.
A cure has yet to be found for Alzheimer’s disease but early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can help families living with dementia make the most of available treatments and support. The Alzheimer Society of Canada offers a range of programs and services, including education, support and counseling at every stage of the disease.
Alzheimer’s Australia
Alzheimer’s Australia is the peak body active advocate for people with dementia that provides support and advocacy for the 500,000 Australians living with dementia. State and territory Alzheimer’s Associations were originally established by family carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as self help organisations.
The National Federation with membership from all states and territories was formed in 1989. Alzheimer’s Australia represents the consumer views to the Government and industry and they have served on national, state and territory Alzheimer association boards. Since the 1980’s they started developing and delivering the leading edge national dementia programs and services.
Alzheimer’s UK
More than 1,000,000 people in the United Kingdom are living with dementia and at worldwide, 44 million people are living with dementia which made the disease a global health crisis that must be addressed.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s might be a life changing for the person with the disease, their family and friends. Information and support are available and no one has to face Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia alone.
Alzheimer France
More than 1,175,000 people in France are living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia each year. At least 44 million people are living with dementia Worldwide by making it a global health crisis that must be addressed.
Alzheimer’s diagnosis may be a life changing incident for the persons with the disease. It will also be a life changing incident for their family members and friends. However, the information and support are available because no one has to face Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia alone.
Alzheimer Scotland
Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland which provides wide-ranging specialist services for those with dementia and for their carers. The support and the charity offered to individuals and their communities by the organization are vital because it delivers information and advice at every stage of the dementia journey.
It is a sister charity of Alzheimer’s Society, formed in 1979. Alzheimer Scotland shares its founders’ vision to raise public awareness of the disease and just like its founder it does not exclusively deal with those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
But rather works with people suffering from a huge variety of differing diseases that falls under the umbrella term of dementia. This includes anything from the most common that is Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia till the much rarer causes of dementia.
Alzheimer Scotland has been developing new dementia resource centres across the whole of Scotland over the last five years. Through these resource centers, the charity provides Dementia Advisors, specialist one-to-one support services, peer supporters, day centres, dementia cafés, community activities, and much more.
The main aim is to create opportunities for those living with dementia, and their carers. They solely focus on the person with Alzheimer to develop their opportunities to gain knowledge, support, and their friendship.
In order to find out more about the services provided by Alzheimer Scotland, visit their website: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Europe
Alzheimer Europe is a non-governmental organisation that aims at raising awareness of all forms of dementia through a common European platform by creating the co-ordination and co-operation between the Alzheimer organisations throughout Europe. It also acts as a source of information on all aspects of dementia.
Alzheimer’s gifts
The Alzheimer’s Association advises you to first consider what stage of the disease your loved one is in when shopping for a gift for them.
Because in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, a gift may not be very different from what you’d give your loved one before their diagnosis but in later stages of the disease sensory stimulating gifts become more important as the stimulus could bring back some of your loved one’s memories.
Here are some of the gift ideas for persons with Alzheimer’s by the stage that you can use when searching for a gift for a loved one this holiday season:
Early Stage Gifts
- Activity books, like crossword puzzles or strategy games.
- Classic movies and television shows than can stimulate your loved one.
- CD’s and music that allow your loved one to reminisce.
- A memorable photo album or calendar that features special family occasions and family photos.
- A memory phone that can store photos with the contact information and names of your loved one’s family and friends.
Middle Stage Gifts
- Erasable white boards that highlight key rooms or areas in your loved one’s home.
- A large typed clock that highlights both the date and time.
- Automatic nightlights that will light for your loved one as soon as it gets dark.
- An automatic medication dispenser.
- Simple craft activities that inspire reminiscing.
Late Stage Gifts
Sensory stimulating gifts can include:
- A fluffy bathrobe or a soft blanket in a favorite color.
- Comfortable clothes like sweat suits and shoes with Velcro ties that can make dressing and undressing easier on a loved one.
- A doll or stuffed animal.
- Music and CD’s that feature songs from your loved one’s childhood or teenage years.
- A location device that can track your loved one, if they become disoriented and wander.
Little known Facts about Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic ongoing condition.
- Its symptoms come on gradually and the effects on the brain are degenerative, meaning they cause slow decline.
- There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s but treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and may improve quality of life.
- Anyone can get Alzheimer’s disease but certain people are at higher risk for it.
- This includes people over age 65 and those with a family history of the condition.
- Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t the same thing because Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia.
- There’s no single expected outcome for people with Alzheimer’s.
- Some people live a long time with mild cognitive damage whereas others experience a more rapid onset of symptoms and quicker disease progression.
Alzheimer’s statistics
There are daunting statistics behind the Alzheimer’s disease.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s is the sixth most common cause of death among U.S. adults.
- It ranks fifth among causes of death for people 65 years and older.
- A study found that 4.7 million Americans over the age of 65 years had Alzheimer’s disease in 2010.
- The researchers projected that by 2050, there will be 13.8 million Americans with Alzheimer’s.
- The CDC estimates that over 90 percent of people with Alzheimer’s don’t see any symptoms until they’re over 60 years old.
- Alzheimer’s is an expensive disease. According to the CDC, about $259 billion was spent on Alzheimer’s and dementia care costs in the United States in 2017.
FAQs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Is It Alzheimer’s or Normal Aging?
As you get older, you will sometimes forget where you kept your car keys or the name of a neighbor. Memory loss is a normal part of aging just like creaky knees, wrinkled skin, or blurry vision. But Alzheimer’s disease is somewhat different.
Is Alzheimer’s disease reversible?
Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible. There is no cure for this disease but can be prevented by following some self-care steps.
How Alzheimer’s disease is tested?
There is no ultimate test for Alzheimer’s disease. However, your doctor will perform some tests to resolve your diagnosis. These tests include mental, physical, neurological, and imaging tests.
Is there a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
There is no definitive evidence about what can prevent Alzheimer’s disease or age-related cognitive decline at present.
Do Alzheimer’s diseases only affect older people?
Alzheimer’s diseases mostly affect the people over the age of 65. It rarely occurs in the people who are 30 years of age.
Who gets affected by Alzheimer’s diseases?
According to some surveys, 65% of females are affected by Alzheimer’s diseases and 35% are male. This is mostly because women live longer than men and as Alzheimer’s diseases become more common as we age.
What is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s diseases?
The biggest risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s diseases is age. The older you are the more likely you are to develop the condition, but this disease is not an expected part of ageing.
How can I reduce my risk of developing Alzheimer’s diseases?
There is no certain way to prevent Alzheimer’s diseases, but we can do some life style changes to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s diseases. You will lower your risk of these diseases by leading a healthy lifestyle and taking regular exercise and it’s likely you will lower your risk of dementia too.
What should I eat to be healthy?
It is very important to have a healthy meal to live a healthy life. This should include:
- plenty of fruit and vegetables
- starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, rice and bread
- some milk and other dairy foods
- some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
- Just a small amount of food that is high in fat and sugar.
Do other diseases or medical conditions affect my risk of Alzheimer’s diseases?
There are many medical conditions that can affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the following are the few conditions which can increase the risk of dementia:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Down’s syndrome
- Early memory and thinking problems known as mild cognitive impairment or MCI.
What are the bad side effects of using Alzheimer’s drugs?
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may take medicines along with other health problem medicines they have. But when they take many medications at once, there’s a higher chance they will have a bad reaction to them. The problems include sleepiness or sleeplessness, mood swings, memory problems, confusion, agitation, and upset stomach.
How long will the people with Alzheimer’s disease live after developing the disease?
Every case of Alzheimer’s disease is different and progression varies from person to person. On average, people with Alzheimer’s disease can live from 8 years up to 20 years.