Things to Know About Alzheimer’s Disease

Is there any thought more frightening than the idea of losing one’s mind? The subject of Alzheimer’s Disease has gotten a lot of attention on the internet recently; partially because of current research into its causes and partially because it proves to be a real concern as the population ages.

It is not entirely clear that more people are getting the disease but rather that a larger segment of the population, the Baby Boomers, will be increasing the number of individuals with the disease. The main concerns surrounding the disease are the increased dollar cost to the Government and the increased emotional cost to family members and caregiver’s who have to shoulder the care.

Here’s what you should know….

Definition of Dementia

Dementia is a broader term that describes symptoms of brain disorder whereas Alzheimer’s is a brain disease.

Dementia is a term that describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem solving or language. Alzheimer’s, proteins build up in the brain to form structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. This leads to the loss of connections between nerve cells, and eventually to the death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue.

People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemical messengers help to transmit signals around the brain. When there is a shortage of them, the signals are not transmitted as effectively.

Alzheimer’s in the U.S.

5 million individuals are currently living with Alzheimer’s. 1 in 9 is over 65 years of age. Alzheimer’s is considered the 6th cause of death in US. The only way to clinically diagnose is via a brain biopsy. Once diagnosed, the life expectancy thereafter can vary, but averages around 3-4 years.

Some medications can help with the symptoms but Alzheimer’s has no cure. This is why we fear it.

Early onset Alzheimer’s, for individuals who get the disease at a young age, is a more genetically based version of the disease than late onset (65+) Alzheimer’s.

The number of people with Alzheimer’s will grow but not necessarily because of an increase in what causes the disease; rather that there will be more people over the age of 65 in the next 15+ years.

Who is at Risk for Alzheimer’s?

As it is generally agreed that Alzheimer’s is partially due to the aging process, it is also known that poor lifestyle and low education contribute to the development of the problem.

People who have spent fewer years in school are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia than those with more years of school. It is suggested that a healthy lifestyle, exercise, social engagement and activities that keep your brain stimulated will generally stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Overconsumption of alcohol can play role in the development of Korsakoff’s Syndrome, a type of Alzheimer’s that happens as a result of lack of Thiamine (Vitamin B1).

According to Harvard Medical School, seniors who take benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax and Lunesta) for anxiety or sleep disorders, are at an increased risk of dementia. Recent research has shown that this is especially true for people who begin using the medications after the age of 65. Taking the drug for three to six months raised the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 32%, and taking it for more than six months boosted the risk by 84%!

Help With Alzheimer’s

The brain can only stay nimble for so long and is just as susceptible to physical decline as any other part of the body. Alzheimer’s or dementia is a frightening prospect. However, people are living longer, and chronic disease will naturally be a larger part of the reality of aging.

Alzheimer’s is but one of many diseases in the spectrum of “aging” conditions. There are a ton of resources out there regarding Alzheimer’s. General and infrequent memory lapses are not to be automatically feared and don’t necessarily indicate the mental decline associated with the disease. If you suspect a friend or loved one may be at risk, seek more information before making assumptions.

Broad Street Home Care Can Help

We provide unrivaled home care services for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our Personal Assistants are comprehensively trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Through our Professional Network we can help you find the right resources and doctors to help answer questions or identify symptoms.

For more information, please call 847.728.0134.