Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.  Dementia is a medical condition that disrupts the way the brain works.  AD affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.  Although the risk of getting the disease increases with age, it is NOT a normal part of aging and not all elderly adults develop the illness. 

Symptoms include:

• initial, mild forgetfulness
• confusion
• forgetfulness of everyday tasks
• problems speaking, understanding, reading, and writing
• behavioral and personality changes
• aggressive, anxious, or aimless behavior
• confusion with names, directions, and simple math problems

Alzheimer’s disease advances in stages and the course of the disease and the rate of decline vary from person to person.  From the onset of symptoms, a person can live with the disease for up to 20 years.

The cause of the disease is not known at this time and there is currently no cure.  At present, there is no effective treatment or preventative for AD that can halt the progression, although there are drugs that have been shown to ease symptoms in patients.  Medications can help control behavioral symptoms; making patients and caregivers more comfortable as this devastating illness is dealt with.

For more information on Alzheimer’s Disease, visit:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/alzheimers
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml