Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: An Overview Rosemary Fiss, B.A.Sc., M.Ed. Manager of Education & Support Programs Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County Opening Doors & Minds – October 28, 2010

What is Dementia? Dementia is a set of symptoms, which includes loss of memory, understanding, and judgment.

Dementia – not a disease, but a set of symptoms that accompanies a disease Alzheimer’s disease Pick’s Lewy Body Vascular Creutzfeldt- Disease Disease Dementia Jakob Disease

Types of Irreversible Dementia Progressive disorders Vascular dementia Subcortical dementia Head trauma Infectious diseases

Types of Reversible Dementia Depression Medications Nutritional disorders Metabolic disorders Other

The Rising Tide Canada is facing a dementia epidemic – The time for action is now!

Incidence: Number of New Cases/Year 2008: 103,700 new dementia cases per year –One new case every 5 minutes 2038: 257,800 new dementia cases per year –One new case every 2 minutes

Prevalence: Number of People with Dementia 2008: 480,600 people –1.5% of the Canadian population 2038: 1,125,200 people –2.8% of the Canadian population

Health Care Utilization Dementia prevalence is classified into three care types: –Individuals receiving care in LTC facilities –Individuals living at home and receiving community care –Individuals living at home and receiving no formal care

Shift Toward Community-Based Care Forecasted growth of LTC beds in Canada from 280,000 beds in 2008 to 690,000 in 2038 –Shortfall of more than 157,000 beds in 2038 Increase in Canadians (65+) living at home with dementia expected to jump from 55% to 62% (an additional 510,000 people by year 2038) Hours of informal care –230,838,301 in 2008 –756,478,399 in 2038

Economic Burden Annual Total Economic Burden expected to increase –$15 billion in 2008 –$153 billion in 2038 Total Economic Burden = Direct Health Costs + Opportunity Costs of Informal Caregivers + Indirect Costs

Alzheimer’s disease is... damage from the disease increases over time brain cells degenerate or break down damage cannot be repaired; at present there is no known cure

Normal Forgetfulness Recognize people & places, even if cannot recall their names Remember the day & time Forget details of a recent experience, but not the experience itself Forget items, but will often remember later

Alzheimer’s disease: 10 Warning Signs Memory loss affecting day-to-day function Difficulty performing familiar tasks Problems with language Disorientation of time and place Poor or decreased judgment

Alzheimer’s disease: 10 Warning Signs Problems with abstract thinking Misplacing things Changes in mood and behaviour Changes in personality Loss of initiative

Reducing Your Risk – What Can You Do?

Your Brain The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought. Just like the rest of your body it needs to be looked after.

Alzheimer’s Disease A progressive, degenerative disease that destroys vital brain cells. Affects a person’s ability to think, remember, speak and even perform simple tasks. No known cause – No known cure IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING

Reduce Your Risk Some risk factors you cannot control: –Age –Family history Reduce other risk factors and improve your brain’s ability to sustain long-term health.

Take Action for a Healthier Brain Challenge your brain Be socially active Choose a healthy lifestyle Protect your head

Challenge Your Brain Regularly challenging your brain may reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Try something new Change the way you normally do something

Challenge Your Brain Brush your hair with your non-dominant hand Pick a different route to the grocery store Play games – chess, cards, crosswords Learn something new

Be Socially Active Social interaction appears to have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease. Pick up the phone Get together with friends Spend time with people who have a positive outlook Volunteer Join a club

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Healthy food choices Be active Track your numbers Reduce stress Choose wisely See your doctor regularly

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Make healthy food choices –Canada’s Food Guide servings grains 5 – 10 servings fruits and vegetables 2 – 4 servings dairy 2 – 3 servings meat & alternatives

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Make healthy food choices –Limit sodium –Limit caffeine –Limit fat –Watch portion sizes

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Make healthy food choices –Anti-oxidants –Omega 3 oils –water

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Be active –Regular moderate physical activity

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Track your numbers –Blood pressure –Cholesterol –Blood sugar –Weight –Waist circumference

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Reduce stress –Relaxation –Meditation –What works for you?

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Choose wisely –Avoid smoking –Limit alcohol consumption

Choose a Healthy Lifestyle See your doctor regularly –Annual check up –Specific health concerns

Protect Your Head Brain injuries, especially repeated concussions, are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease Wear a helmet Use safety features to avoid falls Wear a seatbelt

Take Action for a Healthier Brain Challenge Your Brain Be Socially Active Choose a Healthy Lifestyle Protect Your Head

Genetics and Aging Genetics –Familial Autosomal Disease –Accounts for only 5 – 10 % of Alzheimer’s disease Age –Most significant risk factor –1 in 13 over age 65 –I in 3 over age 85

Heads Up It’s never too soon, it’s never too late

Supporting the Person with Dementia People with dementia: –Need to feel valued –May be concerned about how this will affect them and their families –Need companionship –Strive to maintain an active and independent life –Have the same needs as each and every one of us –Have abilities, skills and aspirations

Supporting the Caregiver Caregivers –Often feel alone and isolated from friends –May need assistance, but are often reluctant to ask –Are often unable to do errands or complete household tasks –Experience stress that sometimes affects their health –Need regular breaks from caregiving –Need someone to listen

Additional Resources Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County 2135 Richmond Street, Windsor Canadian Standards Association Canada’s Food Guide Canada’s Physical Activity Guide