Alzheimer’s Disease
#ENDALZ
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain of mostly older adults that exhibit significant cognitive deterioration; however, this is not a normal process of aging. People with Alzheimer’s disease can “experience significant memory losses along with losses in other cognitive functions, such as abstract thinking or language”[1].
According to the National Institute of Aging, the damage of Alzheimers “initially appears to take place in the hippocampus, the part of the brain essential in forming memories. As neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected. By the final stage of Alzheimer’s, damage is widespread, and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.”[2]. Alzheimer’s disease is typically grouped with other memory loss diseases such as dementia.
How can I recognize Alzheimers?
Typically, you notice an older adult who is having memory problems. At the beginning, it starts very subtly such as mild lapses in their memory. Unfortunately, then they begin to get increasingly forgetful, have difficulty with simple tasks, distant memories are forgotten, and changes in personality often become very noticeable.
Early onset symptomatology is normally memory problems (forgetting little details), difficulty concentrating, hard time completing daily tasks, confusion with day and time, vision problems, and mixing up words or having a hard time finding the words. Your loved one or the potential sufferer will start to act differently.
Who Can Get Alzheimers?
Age plays a huge role on who can get Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s “mainly affects people over 65;” however, after the age of 65, one’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s doubles [3].
Not only will your age affect your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease, but your gender plays a role as well. Women are typically twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s over men. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, researchers are starting to link “Alzheimer’s in women to loss of the hormone oestrogen after the menopause.” [4].
Genetics do play a role in developing the Alzheimer’s disease; however, researchers are still not completely sure which exact genes cause it. As of 2019, there are 20 genes that are linked to increasing your risk of getting Alzheimer’s. The only official genetic testing approved for Alzheimer’s disease is to check the gene coordinated with early onset.
Recent Statistics
Signs and Symptoms
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Changes in ability to develop and follow a plan
- Confusion with time or place
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgement
- Changes in mood or personality
- Withdrawal from social activities
Differences between age-related changes and Alzheimer’s signs and symptoms
Examples of Alzheimer’s signs
- Forgetting important dates or events
- Having trouble keeping track of household bills
- Having trouble driving to a familiar place like the grocery store
- Paying less attention to grooming and taking care of oneself
Examples of age-related changes
- Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later
- Making occasional errors when managing finances or bills
- Needing help with working the microwave every now and then
- Making a bad decision once like neglecting to change the oil of one’s car
Reducing the Stigma – Why and How?
Why is it important to reduce the stigma?
- Being prepared for the future
- So those who are diagnosed are able to live the best quality of life possible
- Recognizing symptoms to receive early diagnosis
How can we reduce the stigma?
- Discuss Alzheimer’s disease openly and the importance of finding a treatment
- Advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, support and research
Famous People with Alz
Rosa Parks was known for refusing to give up her bus seat during the civil rights movement. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after his presidency.
Helpful Hints
To help reduce your risk of cognitive decline, you can make certain life changes. Stay physically, socially and mentally active, adopt a healthy diet and maintain good heart health.
Genetics, family history, and age all play a role on developing Alzheimer’s disease.Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. If more than one family member has this disease, the risk increases. After the age of 65 years, the risk of Alzheimer disease doubles every five years. After the age of 85 years, the risk reaches almost one-third.
What if I or my family member is diagnosed?
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with Alzheimer disease you first accept the diagnoses. This requires time, and reactions of denial and fear are very normal. You must provide time for the individual to be sad about how his or her identity is going to change due to this diagnoses. You can also emphasize the roles and responsibilities that are significant to the individual’s identity, i.e. grandfather, mother, daughter, etc. You can also encourage the individual to speak with someone they trust to talk through difficult emotions.
You must maintain a sense of self and finding purpose. Discuss what brings purpose to his or her life and encourage the person to stay involved with activities they enjoy. You can also do activities that you can enjoy together, and encourage the individual to get involved with other individual’s who have this disease to see how they remain active and engaged in life.
Finally, getting support is very important. Often, caretakers look to trusted family and friends first. Be specific about how you would like their support and help during this time. You can also find community programs, support groups, and online social networks that help and provide support.
How do I handle a family member with Alz?
Your role as a caregiver to someone with Alzheimers must require flexibility and patience. You will have to take on greater responsibility as the individual with Alzheimers independent functioning begins to decrease. Daily routines will change and need to be adapted, and structure will become very important.
As your role as a caregiver becomes more demanding, it is very important to take care of yourself. It is okay to take breaks, even if it is only for a few minutes. Learn what services are available in your community to help. Ask for help from friends and family. Do not isolate yourself.
What Organizations are Made to #EndAlz?
Alzheimer Association
Visit alz.org to see facts, statistics, resources, groups, etc. This association offers so many resources and guidance if you or someone you know is diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. They also hold the Alz walk where all proceeds go to Alzheimer research.
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
“The mission of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is to rapidly accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease” [7].
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
“The mission of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure” [8].
Where can I learn more?
What is Alzheimer’s Disease Hotline?
24/7 Hotline
(800) 272-3900
References:
1-Comer, R. J., & Comer, J. S. (2018). Abnormal psychology. New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan Learning.
2- What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2019, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease.
3- Who gets Alzheimer’s disease? (2018, September 20). Retrieved November 14, 2019, from https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/who-gets-alzheimers-disease.
4-Who gets Alzheimer’s disease? (2018, September 20). Retrieved November 14, 2019, from https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/who-gets-alzheimers-disease.
5-10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2019, from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs.
6-Overcoming Stigma. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2019, from https://www.alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/overcoming-stigma.
7- About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2019, from https://www.alzdiscovery.org/about-addf.
8- Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. (2019). Retrieved February 18, 2019, from https://alzfdn.org/.
CC BY-Laine Johnson, Madison Rodriguez & Lindsey Lawton
End Alzheimer 