ALZHEIMER'S
Dementia is a broad term for a group of symptoms
that mean you have trouble with learning and memory.
Alzheimer's disease is one form of dementia,
the most common type but it accounts for only 60% to 80% of all cases.
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SENIOR MOMENT OR ALZHEIMER'S?
- It’s not unusual for people to become a bit forgetful as they age
- It's ok to forget a meeting but it's a warning sign if you forget several meetings or forget big events or where you are
- Misplacing your keys is normal but not normal is putting the keys somewhere odd, like the
oven, or accusing your spouse of stealing them - Repeating yourself, getting lost & showing fuzzy thinking skills all show up after the process
of Alzheimer's has already begun in the brain. - Researchers believe the disease may start to cause physical changes years or decades
before symptoms appear. - One in eight people 65 & older have this devastating form of dementia
WARNING SIGNS
MEMORY & SPEECH
- In early Alzheimer’s, long-term memories usually remain intact while short-term memories become sketchy
- Your loved one may forget conversations you had
- They may repeat questions that were already answered
- The disease also disrupts speech, so they might struggle to remember common words
BEHAVIOR
- In addition to memory loss, Alzheimer’s can cause confusion & behavior changes
- Your loved one may get lost in familiar places
- Mood swings & lapses in judgment are also common, as is poor hygiene
- People who were once stylish may start wearing stained clothes & forget to wash their hair
DON'T IGNORE THE SIGNS
- It's hard to face the thought that a loved one could have this disease, but it's better to
see a doctor sooner rather than later - First, the diagnosis might be something else
1. The symptoms could be caused by a highly treatable problem, like a thyroid imbalance
2. If it is Alzheimer’s, treatments work best when they’re used early in the course of the
disease
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
- There’s no simple test for Alzheimer’s
- THe doctor will rely on you to describe the changes in your loved one
- A mental status test, sometimes called a “mini-cog,” or other screening tests can measure
their mental skills & short-term memory - Neurological exams & brain scans may be used to rule out other problems, like a stroke or tumor & they can provide other information about their brain
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BRAIN?
- Alzheimer’s causes nerve cell death & tissue loss throughout the brain
- As the disease gets worse, brain tissue shrinks & areas that contain cerebrospinal fluid
become larger - The damage harms memory, speech & comprehension
WHAT TO EXPECT?
- Alzheimer’s takes a different path in every person
- Sometimes the symptoms get worse quickly & lead to severe memory loss & confusion
within a few years - For other people the changes are gradual & could take 20 years for the disease to run
its course - Most people live 3 to 9 years after diagnosis
HOW WILL IT CHANGE DAILY LIFE?
- Alzheimer’s affects concentration, so your loved one may not be able to do ordinary
tasks like cooking or paying the bills - A study suggests trouble balancing the checkbook is often one of the first signs of the disease
- As symptoms worsen, the person may not recognize familiar people or places
They get lost easily or use utensils improperly, like combing his hair with a fork
Incontinence, balance problems & loss of language are common in advanced stages
CAN THEY CONTINUE DRIVING?
- Poor coordination, memory loss & confusion are a dangerous combination behind the wheel
- If you feel your loved one should stop driving, explain why they should stop driving
- If they won’t listen, ask their doctor to tell them they shouldn't drive
- If they still insist on driving, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for an assessment
- Then make other plans for her transportation needs.
DOES EXERCISE HELP?
- Physical activity can help your loved one keep some muscle strength & coordination'
- It might also boost their mood & help them feel less anxious
- Check with their doctor to learn which types of exercise are appropriate
- Repetitive activities, like walking, gardening, or even folding laundry may be the best at
giving them a sense of calm
HOW IS IT TREATED?
- There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s & no way to slow the nerve damage it causes in the brain
- However, there are medications that appear to help maintain mental skills & slow the disease’s effects
If your loved one gets treatment early on, they may be able to stay independent & do their daily tasks for a longer period of time
THE CAREGIVER'S JOB
- If you’re caring for someone with this disease, you’ll probably do the cooking, be the driver, accountant, chauffeur& more
- While you may have to handle meal planning & finances, encourage your loved one to do
some things for themselves - It may help to label cabinets with their contents & put up sticky notes with reminders of daily tasks
- Be sure to have a weekly pill box for the medications
CAREGIVING CHALLENGES
- In the early stages, people with Alzheimer’s often understand what’s happening to them
- They may be ashamed or get anxious
- Watch for signs of depression, which the doctor can manage with medication
- Later on, your loved one may become paranoid or aggressive & could even turn on you
- Remember that the disease is responsible for this change
- Tell the doctor about this kind of behavior promptly
SUNDOWN SYNDROME
- Experts don’t know why, but some people with Alzheimer’s get upset when the sun goes down
- This tends to last through the evening & sometimes all night long
- To ease tension, keep the house well lit & close the curtains before sunset
- Try to distract your loved one with a favorite activity or TV show
- Switch him to decaf after breakfast
WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE DOESN'T KNOW YOU
- Many people with Alzheimer’s have trouble remembering names, even of people closest
to them - Put up pictures of people they will see often or know well with names printed underneath
- Eventually, your loved one may no longer recognize faces & may react as if family members
are strangers
WARNING SIGNS OF CAREGIVER STRESS
- Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be physically & mentally draining
- Signs of caregiver stress can include:
1. Anger, sadness & mood swings
2.Headaches or back pain
3.Trouble concentrating
4.Trouble sleeping
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
- To avoid caregiver burnout, make sure you take at least a few minutes to do something you enjoy every day
- Stay in touch with friends & keep up with hobbies when you can
- Find a friend or relative to be your support person
- You can also join an online or local caregiver support group through the Alzheimer’s
Association
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
- While your loved one is still able to make important decisions, talk to an attorney about
drafting advance directives - These are legal documents that spell out what they want in terms of medical treatments
& end-of-life care - They will need to name someone to make health care decisions & manage finances on
their behalf - This will help avoid confusion later on if they're no longer able to state their wishes
HOME HEALTH CARE
- Many people want to stay in their own homes as long as possible
- That’s not easy if they have trouble getting dressed or using the bathroom on their own
- A home health aide can help with personal hygiene & other daily tasks
- You can also check with your local area agency on Aging for information on services that
deliver meals or provide transportation to the elderly
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
- There may come a day when your loved one can no longer be cared for at home
- If they don’t need 24-hour nursing care, an assisted-living facility may be good choice
- They provide housing, meals & activities, but are much less expensive than nursing homes
- Look for one with an Alzheimer’s special care unit that can give 24-hour supervision &
personal care to meet the needs of people with dementia
CAN YOU PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S
- Research in this area is ongoing, but diet & exercise appear to be important
- Studies show people who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fish & nuts & get
plenty of physical activity are the least likely to get Alzheimer’s - Experts don’t know if doing mental work can prevent Alzheimer's but it may help build brainpower that helps you hold off memory loss
- It's better to learn new things than to fall into old habits
- It's also better to give your brain a workout every day & have a busy social life
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