Important Things to Know About Alzheimer's Disease
Awareness months are a significant proponent in furthering the conversation and awareness around certain diseases and issues that aren't widespread knowledge. November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to and share information about Alzheimer's Disease. This is a crucial time to remind the 6.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's that they are supported and that dedicated people are constantly working to fight the disease.
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's is commonly misconceived as a natural part of aging, but it is actually a degenerative brain disease caused by cell damage and complex brain changes. The most significant known risk factor in contracting the disease is increasing age, and the majority of those who have Alzheimer's are 65 or older. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia symptoms, and about 60-80% of dementia symptoms in aging adults are due to Alzheimer's.
Overall, Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. A person with Alzheimer's lives an average of four to eight years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors.
Show your support this November and share this informational graphic with your friends, family or social network, provided by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, to quickly spread helpful information across your network.
Alzheimer's vs. Dementia
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease are often confused, though they are very different. Dementia is a general term for a decline in one's mental ability severe enough to interrupt daily life. Dementia is not a disease, but it describes a group of symptoms including short-term memory loss, difficulty keeping track of personal items, difficulty preparing meals, trouble traveling from home, and forgetting important appointments, among others. These symptoms can occur without an Alzheimer's diagnosis, but it is less common.
Stages of the disease
As a progressive disease, Alzheimer's symptoms gradually worsen over time. The development stages of the disease are referred to as early-, middle- and late-stage Alzheimer's, each with its own determining factors. Memory loss is mild in the early stages, but individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation or respond to their environment in the late stages.
It is possible to develop Alzheimer's before the age of 65, leading to a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's. Many people with early-onset are in their 40s or 50s and can often still have careers and families to care for. There's no consensus among doctors on what causes early onset, though several rare genes have been connected with the disease. People with these rare genes tend to develop symptoms as early as their 30s. Studies show that early-onset Alzheimer's Disease affects 220,000 to 640,000 Americans between the ages of 45-64 each year.
Schedule your loved one a free, virtual memory test offered by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to detect memory problems early on. If memory problems result from dementia-related illness, early detection is crucial in beginning treatment and therapeutic interventions sooner.
Searching for a cure
Alzheimer's currently has no cure, but medication is available that involves removing amyloid, or abnormal tissue deposits, which are a leading cause of Alzheimer's. This pharmaceutical drug is likely to reduce the cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer's.
Visiting Angels West Cincinnati is staffed with caregivers ready to go above and beyond in assisting your aging loved ones with Alzheimer's care. It can be emotionally taxing to watch your loved ones struggle to recall facts or lose their ability to perform daily tasks. As the illness progresses, it is important to have a respite for family caregivers. Like Visiting Angels West Cincinnati, senior home care agencies specialize in Alzheimer's care and know how to compassionately handle the mood and behavior changes that accompany Alzheimer's and dementia. Whether it be household organization, dressing, bathing, meal planning, medication help, or trips to the bathroom, our caregivers are trained to assist in a wide range of services and memory care. Get in touch today to learn more about your options at (513) 598-6770.