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Alzheimer’s Disease
• Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that
causes problems with memory, thinking
and behavior. Symptoms usually develop
slowly and get worse over time, becoming
severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
• Alzheimer’s is the most common form of
dementia, a general term for memory loss
and other intellectual abilities serious enough
to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease
accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia
cases.
• Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,
although the greatest known risk factor is
increasing age, and the majority of people
with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. But
Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age.
Up to 5 percent of people with the disease
have early onset Alzheimer’s (also known as
younger-onset), which often appears when
someone is in their 40s or 50s.
• Alzheimer’s worsens over time. Alzheimer’s
is a progressive disease, where dementia
symptoms gradually worsen over a number
of years. In its early stages, memory loss
is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s,
individuals lose the ability to carry on
a conversation and respond to their
environment. Alzheimer’s is the sixth
leading cause of death in the United States.
Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of
eight years after their symptoms become
noticeable to others, but survival can range
from four to 20 years, depending on age and
other health conditions.
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Symptoms
Have you noticed any of these warning signs?
Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early
stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events;
asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic
devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s typical?
Sometimes
forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
Challenges in planning or solving problems
. Some people may experience changes in their ability to
develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or
keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things
than they did before.
What’s typical?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
People with Alzheimer’s often find it
hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a
budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s typical?
Occasionally needing help to
use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
Confusion with time or place.
People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of
time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they
may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s typical?
Getting confused about the day of the
week but figuring it out later.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
For some people, having vision
problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color
or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may
not recognize their own reflection.
What’s typical?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
New problems with words in speaking or writing.
People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following
or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue
or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word
or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a watch a “hand clock”).
What’s typical?
Sometimes having
trouble finding the right word.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put
things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.
Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What’s typical?
Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
Decreased or poor judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision
making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to
telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s typical?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
Withdrawal fromwork or social activities.
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves
from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite
sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because
of the changes they have experienced.
What’s typical?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social
obligations.
Changes in mood and personality.
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change.
They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at
work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What’s typical?
Developing very
specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
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