Alzheimer’s Disease

• Definition

• Treatment

Definition

Alzheimer's disease damages and destroys brain cells. Over time, brain tissue becomes abnormal.

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. About 4% of people aged 65 to 75 have it, 5% of those 75 to 84, and up to 50% of those over 85. Roughly four million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease.

Women develop Alzheimer's more often than men. A family history increases your risk, though how much is still unclear. Having a relative with the disease does not mean you will get it.

Early Alzheimer's typically includes:

• Memory loss – difficulty recalling recent events or familiar information
• Trouble thinking abstractly
• Language problems – difficulty understanding conversation, remembering names of people or objects, or comprehending what they read
• Visio-spatial loss – inability to copy a simple shape shown to them

Changes in behavior and personality are also common. The person may:

• Become withdrawn or less motivated
• Become restless, anxious, or unable to sleep; may wander away from home

• Act rudely, aggressively, or with uncharacteristic coarseness
• Have false beliefs about infidelity, theft, harm, or abandonment
• Report hearing or seeing things others cannot

These changes don't usually happen suddenly. They come and go, sometimes briefly, and can seem convincing to others—making it hard to know if what the person is experiencing is real.

Treatment

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, medications can slow the decline in thinking and physical abilities, especially in early stages.

Doctors may prescribe donepezil, rivastigmine, or tacrine. Other treatments are being tested in clinical trials.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is emotionally difficult. Here are practical ways to interact with them:

• Ask one question at a time and give them time to answer. Multiple questions cause confusion.
• Keep a regular routine to maintain physical and mental activity.
• Break complex tasks into single steps.
• Be realistic about their abilities. Their capacity will decline over time.
• Be realistic about the person’s abilities, recognizing that they will decline over time