Millions of people in this country and around the world, suffer from the nightmare that is Alzheimer's disease. This disease takes it's toll not only on the victim but on their loved ones as well. No matter how young or old a person is at the onset of these diseases, the diagnosis is a devastating, life-altering blow. The future, once rosy and full of promise, takes on a different set of colors, bleak and gray. How sad and cruel is the disease, that so many people finish out their lives without memories of what they have accomplished, unable to recognize…
Recovered memories can be as revealing to families as to patients. Today's mobile technology is prompting offspring to embark on projects documenting their parents' lives before dementia takes its course states an article in the USA Today. Recording life stories is one way for patients and families to foster and hold onto memories. "Reminiscing is the success of people with dementia," states the Alzheimer's Association. Evoking memories can be as casual as asking a parent to tell a story, or as formal as a professionally produced video. However, the extent of the project depends on the patient. Memories can be…
5.4 million people living in the U.S. has Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias – and approximately 800,000 Americans are living alone, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The report, “2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” estimates that one in seven people with Alzheimer's or dementia lives alone, and that up to half of those people have no identifiable caregiver. Most are older women with milder impairment. Additionally, as the baby boom generation ages, more people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will be living alone. The analysis finds that Alzheimer’s costs the country about $200 billion per year in Medicare, Medicaid, and personal out-of-pocket expenses. As enormous…
When facing Alzheimer's disease, it helps to connect with others who relate to your experiences. ALZConnected (alzconnected.org), powered by the Alzheimer's Association, is a new online social networking community where people with Alzheimer's, their caregivers and others affected by the disease can share questions and form new connections. On ALZConnected, you don't have to explain what it means to live with Alzheimer's. The other users know, and are willing to offer their advice and solutions to common challenges. We'll help you to form "connections" with other users, matching you based on common criteria. Tap into a diverse community via our…
Many people use the terms Alzheimer's disease and dementia interchangeably, but they have very different meanings. Although dementia is a group of symptoms that include memory loss, the term itself doesn't explain what is causing the symptoms. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia, but here are many other causes. Dementia is a general term for memory loss that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. The signs of dementia may include forgetfulness, difficulty making plans, thinking ahead, or using language, as well as changing character traits, among other symptoms. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent…
The term "dementia" is thrown around a lot in discussions of elderly individuals, but what exactly does it mean? Dementia is a general term for memory loss that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. This general term encompasses many different diseases, of which Alzheimer's is only the most common. Following is a brief summary of the different types of dementia: Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 70 percent of all cases of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's is a partially hereditary disease that causes a loss of brain cells. It gets progressively worse over…
Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer's Signs of Alzheimer's Typical age-related changes Poor judgment and decision making Making a bad decision once in a while Inability to manage a budget Missing a monthly payment Losing track of the date or the season Forgetting which day it is and remembering later Difficulty having a conversation Sometimes forgetting which word to use Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them Losing things from time to tim If you notice any of these signs or any of the signs in the 10 Warning Signs of…
No real breakthrough has been reached yet but, as The New York Times reports, science is ready to rewrite the books on Alzheimer’s disease in a way that may usher in earlier detection and with it the possibility of earlier, more effective treatment. The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association have come together to issue a new definition and medical guidelines for Alzheimer’s, the first serious reworking of the definition in 27 years. The full onset of dementia, what we classically define as the hallmark of the disease, is now thought of as the final of three progressive…
Beta-amyloid is the chief component of plaques, one hallmark Alzheimer brain abnormality. Scientists now have a detailed understanding of how this protein fragment is clipped from its parent compound amyloid precursor protein (APP) by two enzymes — beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. Researchers are developing medications aimed at virtually every point in amyloid processing. This includes blocking activity of both enzymes; preventing the beta-amyloid fragments from clumping into plaques; and even using antibodies against beta-amyloid to clear it from the brain. Several clinical trials of investigational drugs targeting beta-amyloid are included below in the key clinical trial summaries. For more information watch…
With newly elected leaders in Congress, they need to know about the Alzheimer epidemic. We need passionate Alzheimer advocates to come to Washington, D.C., to lend their VOICE to the cause. Be in the nation’s capital May 15-17, 2011, for the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum – become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda. Online registration is now available here. 2010 proved to be an outstanding year for Alzheimer advocacy: The historic passage and signing of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act…
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