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June 3, 2022
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is expected to double by 2050. With this in mind, it’s important to do your part to learn about this condition and the ways it impacts senior communities.
Each November, our team at TheSeniorList.com participates in National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. To help increase the popular understanding of this disease, we offer the following guide.
Did You Know: Planning care for yourself or a loved one? Be sure to check out our free care planning tool to help kick-start your process.
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior –– ultimately leading to dementia. In most cases, symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
While the two terms are often used interchangeably, Alzheimer’s disease is a cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. And while several conditions can lead to dementia –– Huntington’s or Parkinson’s, for example – Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
While some degree of memory or cognitive decline is normal as we age, Alzheimer’s symptoms will be a bit more pronounced, advancing from mild inconveniences to cognitive issues that severely impact one’s daily life.
According to the National Institute on Aging, the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s disease include:
As Alzheimer’s progresses, these symptoms will gradually worsen, eventually leading to disorientation, sharp mood changes, and confusion about times and places. In many cases, this loss of cognitive ability causes those with Alzheimer’s to mistrust friends, family, or caregivers. A common occurrence among those with Alzheimer’s is to accuse caregivers of stealing from them.
In cases of advanced Alzheimer’s, people experience even more severe symptoms that may even lead to difficulty speaking, swallowing, or even walking.
As of 2022, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s; however, there are several treatments that may slow the disease’s progression. By understanding the available options, you can potentially help your loved one cope with the symptoms and improve their quality of life.
As of 2022, several prescription drugs are approved by the FDA to help manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s. In mid-2021, the FDA approved aducanumab, a drug that can reduce amyloid deposits in the brain and aid in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. That said, evidence is highly limited as to how aducanumab affects the symptoms or health outcomes of those with Alzheimer’s.
Aducanumab is the only medication aimed at treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. Other medications like donepezil, memantine, and rivastigmine aim to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This means that, even in the best cases, they will not slow the progression of the disease.
Because of the highly limited viability of Alzheimer’s-related medications, the most important tool we have to address Alzheimer’s is the way in which we provide care to those affected by this disease.
Since there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of this disease and begin to develop a care plan. In some cases, a person with dementia can safely live at home with proper care. In others, you might need to look into memory care communities.
To help you get started, take a look at our helpful guides:
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month takes place every November.
Dementia is a broad term that refers to a decline in mental capacity that interferes with one’s daily life. Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes dementia; however, there are also other diseases and conditions that can cause dementia.
