Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that ends up causing problems with memory and recollection, thinking, and behavior. It progressively changes one's personality and creates a loss of judgment. 

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Some of the first symptoms are loss of memory, other cognitive deficits, and disorientation. More advanced symptoms include forgetting the names of family members, not being able to do simple tasks, wandering off, becoming violent or fearful, and mood and personality changes. Things progressively get worse, until towards the end there is a total loss of self and an inability to control bodily functions.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer's?

At this point in time, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. There are certain medications available to help with memory loss, sleep changes, and behavioral changes.

What is the difference between someone who has natural, age-related memory loss and someone with Alzheimer's?

Here are some comparisons between a normal, age-related memory change and Alzheimer's memory changes. To learn more, check out this brochure on the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's from the Alzheimer's Association.

Normal, Age-Related Memory Changes	Alzheimer's Memory Loss
• forgets part of an experience	• forgets whole experiences
• changing expressions	• blank expressions
• can’t find important items	• routinely places important items in odd places
• cancels a date with friends	• withdraws from usual interests
• can’t find a recipe	• can’t follow recipe directions
• briefly forgets conversation details	• frequently forgets entire conversations
• often remembers later	• rarely remembers later
• is usually able to follow written/spoken directions	• is gradually unable to follow written/spoken directions
• is usually able to use notes	• is gradually unable to use notes
• is usually able to care for self	• is gradually unable to care for self

 

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