"Alzheimer's ... it is a barren disease, as empty and lifeless as a desert. It is a thief of hearts and souls and memories."
Nicholas Sparks
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline. Call us toll-free anytime day or night at 1.800.272.3900
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Many are under the false pretenses that dementia, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease, is a “normal” part of aging. Truth be told: dementia, no matter what type, is in fact, NOT a normal process of aging. Alzheimer's typically affects individuals 65 and older; however, 5% of people with the disease fall under the category of early onset Alzheimer’s. These individuals are generally in the age range of their 40’s-50’s. Eventually, due to the progression and the amount of damage caused by the deterioration of the brain, its victims eventually die from the effects of the disease. Though there are medications available to help slow the progression of the disease, there is no current cure at this time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014).
About
To the left is an illustration of the brain. The brain to the far right is of a healthy brain. To its right is a picture of an individual who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. The bottom picture, dipicts the overlap of the healthy brain and the diseased brain. As the picture shows, the prgression of the disease causes nerve cells and tissues to die, resulting the brain to eventually shrink, affecting nearly all its functions (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014).
The picture to the right show's how Alzheimer's attacks the brain and slowly causes the cortex to shrivel up. This causes damage to the brain that is involved in thinking, planning and remembering. The shrinkage is especially severe in the hippocampus. This part of the cortex plays a key role in the formation of new memories. As the cortex shrinks, the ventricles, which are fluid-filled spaces within the brain, begin to grow larger (Alzheimer's Association, 2014).
Understanding the Top Ten Warning Signs:
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Memory loss that disrupts a person’s daily life.
Example: Forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over again; relying on memory aides or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
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Difficulty in planning or solving problems.
Example: Some Challenges in developing and follow a plan. Trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. Difficulty concentrating.
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Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
Example: Trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work .
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Confusion with time or place.
Example: Forgetting dates, seasons and the passage of time.
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Forgetting where they are going or how they got there. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
Example: Difficulty with reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.
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Confusion with perceptions.
Example: They may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not recognize their own reflection.
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Problems with words in speaking or writing.
Example: Trouble following or joining in a conversation. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a watch a "hand clock”).
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Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Example: An individual experience the onset of Alzheimer’s may lose things and be unable to retrace their steps. They may also begin to accuse others of stealing.
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Decreased or poor judgment.
Example: May experience a change in judgment or decision making. They may pay less attention to proper hygiene.
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Withdrawal and isolation from work or social activities.
Example: Isolation and withdrawal from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. Avoid social gathering. Changes in mood and personality. Becoming easily confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Become upset at hom and/or at work.
(Alzheimer’s Association, 2014)