Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease By: Lora L.- PCA/HUC

What is Alzheimer’s Disease A disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior Not a normal part of aging Gets worse over time Causes a person to become confused, get lost in familiar place, misplace things or have trouble with language

Statistics More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease Most common form of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all cases Includes 11 percent of those age 65 and older and one-third of those 85 and older

How Alzheimer’s affect the brain The brain has 100 billion nerve cells(neurons) Each nerve cell connect to many others to form communications networks Nerve cells have special jobs some which are involved in thinking, learning and memory. Others help us see, hear, smell and tell our muscles to move

Affect on brain cont. Brain cells operate like tiny factories Scientists believe Alzheimer’s disease prevents parts of a cell’s factory from running well

Causes and risk factors Alzheimer’s disease involves the failure of nerve cells Still unknown why this happens Greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age. One in nine people in this age group has Alzheimer’s Nearly one-third of people age 85 and older has it.

Risk Factors cont. Family history Research has shown that those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. Risk increases if more than one more family member has the illness

Risk Factors cont. Familial Alzheimer’s and genetics Two categories of genes influence whether a person develops a disease: risk genes and deterministic genes. Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease but do not guarantee it will happen. Deterministic genes directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inherits one will develop a disorder.

Risk Factors Latinos and African-Americans Researchers believe that higher rates of vascular disease in these groups may put them at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

Know the 10 Signs Memory loss that disrupts daily life Challenges in planning or solving problems Difficulty completing familiar tasks Confusion with time or place Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships New problems with speaking or writing Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps Decreased or poor judgment Withdrawal from work or social activities Changes in mood and personality

Identify behaviors Three –step approach can help identify common dementia-related behavior and their causes Examine the behavior Explore potential solutions Try different responses

Behaviors Aggression Anxiety or agitation Confusion Repetition Suspicion Wandering and getting lost Trouble with sleep

Negative Behavior Negative behavior may be related to physical pain or discomfort Overstimulation like loud noises Unfamiliar Surroundings Complicated tasks Frustrating interactions like inability to communicate effectively which may cause fear, sadness or anxiety

Stages of Alzheimer’s Mild Alzheimer’s(early-stage) In this stage a person may function independently. However, the person may feel as if he/she is having memory lapses Moderate Alzheimer’s(middle-stage) Typically the longest stage and can last for many years. May confuse words, gets frustrated or angry, acts in unexpected ways. At this point, symptoms will be noticeable to others. Severe Alzheimer’s(late-stage) In this final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.

How to find out if it’s Alzheimer’s The first step in following up on symptoms is finding a doctor with whom a person feels comfortable. There is no single type of doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating memory symptoms or Alzheimer’s Steps to diagnosis include: Understanding the problem, reviewing medical history, Evaluating mood and mental status, physical exam and diagnostic tests and neurological exams

When the Diagnosis is Alzheimer’s A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s reflects a doctor’s best judgement about the cause of a person’s symptoms, based on the testing performed. Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing for both the diagnosed and those closest to him/her. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s consider how to provide increasing levels of care as the disease increases, how the individual and family members will cope with changes in the person’s ability to drive, cook and perform other daily activities and how to ensure a safe environment.

Conclusion Do not feel like you have to face this alone. You are not alone. There are several resources available. Taking full advantage of available treatment , care and support options can improve quality of life. Remember, what the mind forgets, the heart never will.