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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease - Is Dementia or Forgetfulness?

Pages 4–5

Severe memory loss that interferes with daily life

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form

of dementia

Symptoms: short and long-term memory loss,

understanding abstract ideas, difficulty in learning

new things, problem solving, concentrating,

coordination, judgment, language, orientation,

motor integration, and social skills

An evaluation is needed to figure out the reason

for the memory loss

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What Is Alzheimer's disease?

Page 5

Alzheimer’s disease causes changes in the brain

Does not occur suddenly, progresses gradually

over time

Damage to the brain takes place over many years

Most common cause of dementia

More than 5 Million people are living with Alzheimer’s

disease in the United States

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

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Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Pages 6–7

Memory loss

Difficulty in performing familiar tasks

Problems with language

Disorientation to time and place

Poor or decreased judgment

Problems with abstract thinking

Misplacing things

Changes in mood or behavior

Changes in personality

Loss of initiative

Source: © 2005 Alzheimer’s Association

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Diagnosis - Why Get A Diagnostic Evaluation?

Pages 9–10

Start with the person’s primary doctor

Diagnosis may identify a treatable condition

Diagnosis confirms the presence of an illness that

causes irreversible dementia

Early Diagnosis helps in making future plans

An evaluation in Diagnosis Center will include:

Medical history

Psychological tests

Medical tests

Physical examination

Brain scans

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Treatments and Medications

Pages 10–11

Currently, there is no medication that can stop or cure

Sometimes medications reduce agitation in the

middle stage

All medications need to be prescribed with caution

Currently many efforts are underway to find new treatments

Having a competent and kind caregiver

Supporting Strengths and Abilities

Involvement in social and challenging activities

Maintaining the general health of a person

Proper nutrition, exercise, hearing, and vision aids and

care of other illnesses

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The Stages of Alzheimer's disease

Page 12

Symptoms don’t occur in the same order in all people

Everyone does not get all of the symptoms

Effects of Alzheimer’s disease change over time

Length of AD depends on many factors - age

and other illnesses

There are 3 stages in Alzheimer's disease. They are:

• Early Stage

• Middle Stage

• Late Stage

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Early Stage - Common Changes in Mild AD

Pages 12–13

Forgetting names and events shortly after they happen

Losing spark or zest for life, feeling depressed

Difficulty in starting activities

Handling money unreliably

Difficulty in learning new things, making new memories

Trouble finding words

Talking less

Losing the way while going to familiar places

Asking repetitive questions

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Middle Stage - Common Changes in Moderate AD

Pages 13–15

Less concern for appearance and personal hygiene

Sleep pattern changes

Mixing up people’s identities - a son is a brother, wife a stranger

Safety issues with poor judgment - wandering, self-neglect

Trouble recognizing familiar possessions

Repeating stories, favorite words, movements (tearing tissues)

May accuse, threaten, curse, fidget, kick, hit, bite

Forgetting table manners

Napping frequently or waking at night to go to work

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Late Stage - Common Changes in Severe AD

Pages 15–16

Does not recognize self or close family

May pat or touch everything

Speaks, but difficult or impossible to understand

May choke on food, refuse to eat, forget to chew or swallow

Bladder and bowel control is lost

Forgets how to walk or is too unsteady or weak to stand alone

May cry out repetitively, groan, scream, or mumble loudly

Loses weight and skin becomes thin and tears easily

May have seizures, frequent infections, falls

Needs total assistance for all activities of daily living

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The Perspective of the Person with AD

Pages 16–17

Not all people with AD respond to the diagnosis

in the same way

Those who don’t show they care when given

the diagnosis may actually be in denial

Supportive counseling and possible medication

may be helpful

Planning for the future

Interacting with others in their situation, participating

in Internet organizations

Note: Encourage and support their ongoing participation

in family and community life

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The Effects on the Family

Page 18

Family needs to reorganize and to create a care plan

New roles and skills may need to be developed

Family member(s) responsible for the care of the

person is important

Caregiving has positive aspects as well

Caregiving has been described as a career

and as a journey

Prepare the best, accept support when it is offered