WHAT IS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include gradual memory loss, decline in ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space, impairment of judgment, personality change, difficulty in learning, and loss of language and communication skills.

The rate of progression in Alzheimer's patients varies from case to case. From the onset of symptoms, the life span of a person who has Alzheimer's disease can range anywhere from an average of 8 years to 20 or more years. The disease eventually leaves its victims unable to care for themselves. While a positive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is possible only through the examination of brain tissue, which is done by autopsy, it is important for a person suffering from any symptoms to undergo a thorough clinical examination in order to rule out other causes of dementia.

A probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can usually be made with accuracy. With a diagnosis, a care plan can be developed for the patient and the caregiver can begin the process of education in order to learn about available support and services provided by the Alzheimer's Association such as support and education groups, adult daycare and care consultation.

UTAH ALZHEIMER'S FACTS

  • There are 30,000 to 40,000 individuals in Utah with Alzheimer's disease.

  • Approximately 75 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease are cared for in the home by family members.

  • Over 30 Support & Education groups in Utah help family members cope with the physical, emotional, and financial stresses of providing care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia disorders.

  • One in 10 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 will have Alzheimer's disease. A small percentage of people as young as in their 30's and 40's get this degenerative disease of the brain.

  • Utah is expected to see the largest percentage increase in the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease over the next 20 years with an estimated 127% increase between 2005 to the year 2025.

  • There is no known cause or cure for Alzheimer's disease.

TEN WARNING SIGNS YOU SHOULD KNOW
    1. Memory Loss. One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information. While it’s normal to forget appointments, names, or telephone numbers, those with dementia will forget such things more often and not remember them later

    2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not stop to think about how to do them. A person with Alzheimer’s may not know the steps for preparing a meal, using a household appliance, or participating in a lifelong hobby.

    3. Problems with language. Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer’s disease often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making his or her speech or writing hard to understand. I a person with Alzheimer’s is unable to find his or her toothbrush, for example, the individual may ask for “that thing for my mouth.”

    4. Disorientation to time and place. It’s normal to forget the day of the week or where you’re going. People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost on their own street, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

    5. Poor or decreased judgment. No one has perfect judgment all of the time. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress without regard to the weather, wearing several shirts or blouses on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather. Individuals with dementia often show poor judgment about money, giving away large amounts of money to telemarketers or paying for home repairs or products they don’t need.

    6. Problems with abstract thinking. Balancing a checkbook may be hard when the task is more complicated than usual. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease could forget completely what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them.

    7. Misplacing things. Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or key. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

    8. Changes in mood or behavior. Everyone can become sad or moody from time to time. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show rapid mood swings-from calm to tears to anger-for no apparent reason.

    9. Changes in personality. People’s personalities ordinarily change somewhat with age. But a person with Alzheimer’s disease can change a lot, becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.

    10. Loss of Initiative. It’s normal to tire of housework, business activities, or social obligations at times. The person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities.


      If you recognize several of these warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.