Alzheimer's Disease
(Presenile Dementia) BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
A brain disorder similar to senile dementia characterized by gradual mental deterioration. The most common form, with slow development of symptoms, begins around ages 65 to 70.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early stages:
Forgetfulness of recent events.
Increasing difficulty performing intellectual tasks, such as accustomed work, balancing a checkbook, or maintaining a household.
- Personality changes, including poor impulse control and poor judgment. Later stages:
- Difficulty doing simple tasks, such as choosing clothing, problem solving.
Failure to recognize familiar persons.
Disinterest in personal hygiene or appearance. Difficulty feeding self.
Belligerence and denial that anything is wrong. Loss of usual sexual inhibitions. Wandering away.
Anxiety and insomnia. Advanced stages:
- Complete loss of memory, speech and muscle function (including bladder and bowel control), necessitating total care and supervision.
- Extreme belligerence and hostility.
CAUSES
Irreversible damage to or loss of brain cells for unknown reasons.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Family history of Alzheimer's disease.
Aging.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
No specific preventive measures.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
This condition is currently considered incurable and untreatable. It is usually fatal within an average of 7 years. Scientific research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for eventual treatment and cure.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
- Decreased resistance to infections, especially pneumonia and meningitis.
- Seizures and coma (rare).
GENERAL MEASURES
- Caregivers can help reduce some of the patient's behaviors by:
Repetition: Patient with memory problem may benefit from frequent, simple reminders.
Reassurance: A brief firm chat with a family member may help a patient with anxiety, verbal outbursts or agitation.
Redirection: Distract the patient who is frustrated or agitated. A short walk can be helpful.
- If a family member has the disease, don't take their hostility personally.
Modify the home environment for safety.
Have patient wear an identification bracelet or neck tag.
If you care for a family member with the disease, try to obtain help so you can get away often. Don't feel guilty about needing a respite even if the patient resents it.
- Join a support group for families of Alzheimer's victims. Use adult day care where available.
- Beware of persons offering treatments for large sums of money. No legitimate treatment currently exists.
Psychotherapy or counseling for family members. Nursing-home care when home care becomes impossible. Additional information available from the local Alzheimer's Association or call (800)272-3900.
MEDICATION
- No medication is currently available to treat Alzheimer's disease, but many medications are being studied. Under investigation currently is tacrine, which has had mixed results to date.
- Some drugs are useful to control symptoms such as agitation.
ACTIVITY
As the condition progresses, all activity will eventually require supervision. Try to maintain an active life.
DIET
Feeding assistance will eventually be necessary.
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
You or a family member has symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
- Signs of infection occur, such as fever, chills, muscle aches or headache.
- You care for someone with Alzheimer's disease, and you fear you are about to lose emotional control.
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