This time of year, we take a moment to recognize the impact of dementia and Alzheimer’s on individuals’ health and well-being while raising awareness about these conditions.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, including 5.8 million Americans. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and incurs substantial healthcare costs, estimated at $277 billion in 2018.
Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s
It is important to understand some key terms. Dementia refers to the loss of the ability to think, remember, and reason. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, causing damage to many brain cells, which makes it difficult for individuals to remember things, think clearly, and make sound judgments. Symptoms begin slowly and worsen over time.
There are other types of dementia, including vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, and mixed dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common type, typically caused by microscopic bleeding and blockages in the brain’s blood vessels. Lewy body dementia results from tiny clumps of protein in the brain and presents symptoms similar to both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Frontotemporal dementia, which is often diagnosed in people under the age of 65, damages nerve cells in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. It is also possible to have mixed dementia, which occurs when multiple forms of dementia are present at the same time.
There is no single test that can definitively determine if someone has dementia. Doctors typically rely on a combination of a detailed medical history, physical examinations, lab tests, and observed changes in thinking, behavior, and daily function. While doctors can usually diagnose dementia with a high level of certainty, pinpointing the exact type can be more challenging due to overlapping symptoms.
Key Signs of Alzheimer’s
It’s important to understand how the brain functions and changes, especially when recognizing Alzheimer’s symptoms. Key signs include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Forgetting important events, repeating questions, or relying on memory aids like sticky notes.
- New challenges in planning or solving problems: Forgetting to pay bills or struggling with familiar recipes.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Trouble with activities like driving, using a phone, or shopping.
- Confusion with time or place: Difficulty tracking dates or knowing where they are.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: Problems with balance or judging distances, which may cause tripping or dropping objects.
The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that worsens over time and generally moves through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild Alzheimer’s
In the mild stage, individuals may begin to experience memory loss, wandering, repeating questions, taking longer to complete familiar tasks, and subtle changes in personality. Most people are diagnosed at this stage.
Moderate Alzheimer’s
As the disease progresses to the moderate stage, damage spreads to the parts of the brain responsible for language, reasoning, and sensory processing. People may struggle to recognize loved ones, experience worsening memory and judgment, and begin to show signs of paranoia, hallucinations, or impulsive behavior.
Severe Alzheimer’s
In the severe stage, the brain is significantly affected. Individuals lose the ability to communicate and become entirely dependent on others for care. In this final phase, most people are confined to bed as their body gradually shuts down.
Treatment and Ongoing Care
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are medications that can help manage symptoms. New treatments are being developed that aim to slow the progression of the disease by targeting its underlying causes.
After receiving a dementia diagnosis, it’s essential to continue learning about the condition, seek ongoing medical care, and connect with support resources.
Caregiver Resources in Indiana
- Area IV Agency Lafayette
- Virtual Support Group
- CICOA Resources
- Dementia Apartment Safety
- Dementia Friends IN
- Caregiver Action Toolbox
