Alzheimer’s Uncovered Most of us are familiar with, or at the very least, have heard of Alzheimer’s, but how many of us truly understand the effects of this debilitating disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, an overall term for conditions that occur when the brain no longer functions properly. The disease causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour and it is a progressive disease, which means symptoms worsen over time. In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, symptoms may be minimal and seem to develop slowly, but as the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and eventually become so severe they interfere with daily tasks. Symptoms vary in individuals and the rate at which the disease progresses differs for everyone. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with latestage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information, or important dates or events. Other signs include asking for the same information over and over, increasingly needing to rely on memory aids, or depending on family members for things they used to handle on their own. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. They may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work, or remembering the rules of a favourite game. They can lose track of dates, seasons and even the passage of time. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. Vision problems can be a sign of Alzheimer’s in some people. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining colour or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following General Health or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g. calling a ‘watch’ a ‘hand-clock’). A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgement or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgement when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. There is no doubt Alzheimer’s is a life-changing disease, not only for the individual diagnosed, but also for their family and friends. The stages below provide a general idea of how abilities change during the course of the disease. This sevenstage framework is based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., clinical director of the New York University School of Medicine’s Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center. Remember: It is difficult to place a person with Alzheimer’s in a specific stage as stages may overlap. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 17
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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