What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, a term used to describe a group of brain disorders that cause memory loss and a decline in mental function, over time. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting 5.3 million men and women in the United States. Although the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are often confused with the changes that take place in normal aging, it’s important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

About Alzheimer’s

Over time, Alzheimer’s disease gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn and carry out daily activities such as talking, eating, and going to the bathroom. As the disease progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior. Unfortunately, there are no cures for Alzheimer’s disease and there is no way to predict how fast someone will progress through the stages of the disease.

Stages of Alzheimer’s

A person with Alzheimer’s disease will advance through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease, suffering from the various symptoms associated with them.  It’s important to understand the stages and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease to ensure appropriate treatment.

Over time, Alzheimer’s disease progresses through three main stages: mild, moderate, and severe. These stages are characterized by a collection of signs and symptoms and behaviors the people with Alzheimer’s disease experience.

A)    Mild or Early Stages of Alzheimer’s:

People with mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease often seem healthy, but they are actually having trouble making sense of the world around them. It often takes time for an observer to realize that something is wrong because the initial symptoms are often confused with changes that take place in normal aging. Symptoms and early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may include:

• Difficulty learning and remembering new information
• Difficulty managing finances, planning meals, taking medications on schedule
• Depression symptoms (sadness, decreased interest in usual activities, loss of energy)
• Difficulty with some activities such as driving a car
• Gets lost going to familiar places

B)    Moderate or Mid Stage Alzheimer’s

In moderate Alzheimer’s disease, the damaging processes occurring in the brain worsen and spread to other areas that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and thought. In this stage, symptoms and signs of Alzheimer’s disease become more pronounced and behavioral problems may become more obvious. This is the stage when Alzheimer’s is usually diagnosed. Signs and symptoms of moderate Alzheimer’s disease may include:

• Forgetting old facts
• Continually repeats stories and/or asks the same questions over and over
• Makes up stories to fill gaps
• Difficulty performing tasks, such as following written notes
• Agitation, behavioral symptoms
• Restlessness, repetitive movements
• Wandering
• Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations
• Lack of concern for appearance, hygiene, and sleep

Severe or Late Stage Alzheimer’s

In the advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease, damage to the brain’s nerve cells is widespread. At this point, full-time care is usually required. For friends, family, and Alzheimer’s caregivers, this can be the most difficult stage. People with severe Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty walking, and they often suffer complications from other illnesses, such as pneumonia. Signs of severe Alzheimer’s disease may include:

• Vocalizations such as groaning, screaming, mumbling, or speaking gibberish
• Behavioral symptoms, such as refusal to eat
• Failure to recognize family or faces
• Difficulty with all essential activities of daily living

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease

To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors use a series of tests and tools to evaluate thinking, behavior and physical function because there is no single scale that can definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease by itself.

•    Clock Drawing Test
•    Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE)
•    Functional Assessment Staging (FAST)
•    Medical and family health history
•    A routine physical exam, with blood and urine tests (to rule out potential other causes of memory loss)
•    An exam that tests physical sensation, sense of balance, and other functions controlled by the central nervous system
•    A brain scan, to rule out other causes of dementia, such as stroke
•    A psychiatric evaluation, to assess mood and other emotional factors that may lead to a positive Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis
•    Interviews with family members and friends that provide insight into behavioral changes

The information learned from these tests helps determine whether a person has Alzheimer’s disease, with an accuracy rate of about 90 percent. Doctors will determine that a person is highly likely to have Alzheimer’s disease when these tests show that he or she has:

•    Dementia confirmed by medical and psychological exams
•    Problems in at least two areas of cognitive functioning (i.e. memory, language, attention)
•    Progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions
•    Symptoms that began between the ages of 40 and 90

No other disorders that might account for the dementia (such as vascular dementia or Huntington’s disease) Recognizing the warning signs and finding a doctor who understands the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and the medications approved to treat it are very important steps to helping you provide the best Alzheimer’s care possible.

Innovative Nurses and Sitters has over 16 years of experience in providing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care. We can provide you with the professionals experienced in the kind of care your loved one needs.  We are committed to making life better for both you and your loved one.