Idaho

Alzheimer's Disease 3/25/2010

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations. An estimated one in ten people over 65 and nearly half of those 85 or older have the disease. More than five million Americans have Alzheimer's, and it is estimated that by 2050, that number could more than triple to 16 million.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life.

Risk Factors

Scientists have learned that Alzheimer’s disease involves the malfunction or death of nerve cells, but why this happens is still not known. However, they have identified certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s and discovered clues about possible strategies to reduce risk.

• Age
  The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and most individuals with the illness are 65 and older. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s approximately doubles every five years after age 65. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.

• Family history and genetics
  Another risk factor is family history. Research has shown that those who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than those who do not. The more individuals in a family who have the illness, the greater the risk.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's:

• Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable      to recall the information later. What's normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps      involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game. What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you      planned to say.
• Problems with language. People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to      understand. They may be unable to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth.” What's normal? Sometimes having      trouble finding the right word.
• Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there,      and not know how to get back home. What's normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
• Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They      may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers. What's normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to      time.
• Problems with abstract thinking. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what      numbers are for and how they should be used. What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
• Misplacing things. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. What's      normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
• Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.      What's normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
• Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or      dependent on a family member. What's normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.
• Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting      to do usual activities. What's normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.
  If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a doctor. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.

The Stigma of Alzheimer's Disease

What is Stigma?

Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with a disability or illness. When someone appears to be different than us, we may view him or her in a negative stereotyped manner. People who have identities that society values negatively are said to be stigmatized. Concern over stigma and denial can delay diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease for years, meaning patients do not receive treatment that could slow its progress. When spouses or other relatives who care for patients are concerned about the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s, delay of the diagnosis averages 6 years after symptoms first appear, a survey by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America showed. "Any delay in diagnosis is a setback for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers - and a delay of two years or more is a serious and unnecessary setback," said Eric Hall, chief executive officer of the foundation.

What are the effects of Stigma?

While facing Alzheimer's disease is never easy, getting a diagnosis is an essential step to managing and treating the disease. Living with this in silence can isolate people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, leaving them without critical support, resources, and proper treatment.

Lack of knowledge about the disease is a barrier to diagnosis for two in five caregivers (40 percent), suggesting that more education is needed. While the majority (92 percent) of caregivers report that they are aware of medications that may slow the progression of symptoms, only half (51 percent) of caregivers are aware of the opportunity for combination therapy. Remarkably, many caregivers who mentioned fear of stigma and/or denial as a reason for delay in diagnosis appear to have largely overcome their fear and are more likely than those who did not struggle with stigma and denial to say they are extremely or very knowledgeable about Alzheimer's disease (72 percent vs. 59 percent).

"If you notice memory problems or any other possible warning signs, such as agitation, restlessness, disorientation, or difficulty performing regular tasks, make an appointment with your doctor," said Beth Safirstein, M.D., co- president/medical director and practicing physician at the MD Clinical/MD Clinical Trials Foundation, Inc., Hallandale Beach, FL. "Diagnosis and treatment are essential because there are treatments available, including combination therapy, that have shown to potentially help maintain a person's ability to think clearly and perform everyday tasks for a longer period of time than if left untreated."

Get more information about the Stigma of Alzheimer’s Disease-

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on providing optimal care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families. Based in New York, AFA unites hundreds of member organizations that provide hands-on support services. AFA’s services include a toll-free hotline staffed by licensed social workers, educational materials, a free magazine for caregivers, a national memory screening initiative, and training for healthcare professionals. For more information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.

How can I learn more about the Alzheimer’s Disease?

Online Resources:

www.alz.org - National Alzheimer’s Association

www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers - National Institute on Aging The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center

By phone, you can call the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to get the contact information for Alzheimer’s resources in your area. You can also search for your local Alzheimer’s resources contact information in the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine online database.