Facts about Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease destroys memory and thinking skills, and impairs one from the simplest tasks, eventually robbing the Alzheimer’s patient of independence.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal brain disease without a cure. Hallmark brain abnormalities are deposits of the protein fragment beta-amyloid (plaques) and twisted strands of the protein tau (tangles).
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a global epidemic.
In 2006, there were 26.6 million documented cases of Alzheimer’s disease world-wide. By the year 2050, it is projected that 1 out of 85 people on a global scale will develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Many people living with Alzheimer’s are not diagnosed with the disease; the disease can remain undetected for years.
There are three basic stages of the disease-Mild, Moderate, and Severe.
The Mild stage of Alzheimer’s is marked by memory loss, getting lost, difficulty handling bills and finances, repeating questions, requiring more time to complete daily tasks, poor judgement, and small mood and personality changes.
Once the disease enters the Moderate stage, it becomes increasingly difficult for the Alzheimer’s patient to maintain independence. The processing centers of the brain that regulate language, reasoning, sensory processing and conscious thought become damaged. Memory loss and confusion escalates--to the degree that Alzheimer’s patients begin to have difficulty recognizing family and friends. Tasks that require multiple steps, such as getting dressed, are very difficult to execute--and therefore can not typically be completed without caregiver assistance. Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and impulsive behavior can occur.
The Severe stage is the final stage of Alzheimer’s, where the brain tissue has significantly shrunk and plagues and tangles spread throughout the brain. In this stage, the Alzheimer’s patient cannot communicate, is completely dependent on others for care, and is bed-ridden, as the body shuts down.
Alzheimer’s disease destroys memory and thinking skills, and impairs one from the simplest tasks, eventually robbing the Alzheimer’s patient of independence.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal brain disease without a cure. Hallmark brain abnormalities are deposits of the protein fragment beta-amyloid (plaques) and twisted strands of the protein tau (tangles).
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a global epidemic.
In 2006, there were 26.6 million documented cases of Alzheimer’s disease world-wide. By the year 2050, it is projected that 1 out of 85 people on a global scale will develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Many people living with Alzheimer’s are not diagnosed with the disease; the disease can remain undetected for years.
There are three basic stages of the disease-Mild, Moderate, and Severe.
The Mild stage of Alzheimer’s is marked by memory loss, getting lost, difficulty handling bills and finances, repeating questions, requiring more time to complete daily tasks, poor judgement, and small mood and personality changes.
Once the disease enters the Moderate stage, it becomes increasingly difficult for the Alzheimer’s patient to maintain independence. The processing centers of the brain that regulate language, reasoning, sensory processing and conscious thought become damaged. Memory loss and confusion escalates--to the degree that Alzheimer’s patients begin to have difficulty recognizing family and friends. Tasks that require multiple steps, such as getting dressed, are very difficult to execute--and therefore can not typically be completed without caregiver assistance. Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and impulsive behavior can occur.
The Severe stage is the final stage of Alzheimer’s, where the brain tissue has significantly shrunk and plagues and tangles spread throughout the brain. In this stage, the Alzheimer’s patient cannot communicate, is completely dependent on others for care, and is bed-ridden, as the body shuts down.
