Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month takes place each June to provide the opportunity to learn about brain health and share the facts of Alzheimer’s Disease. To learn about Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and what you can do to continue the conversation, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website here.
In the United States, approximately 5.8 million people age 65+ suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, an estimated 50 million people live with Alzheimer’s.
Early Symptoms
The earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s usually begin with someone having trouble remembering recent events or conversation. Other symptoms can include remembering the right word or someone’s name after being introduced, forgetting what was just read, losing a valuable object, trouble planning, and difficult performing tasks in social or work settings.
Occasional memory lapses happen to everyone of all ages, but with Alzheimer’s, memory lapses persist and worsen over time.
Middle-Stage Symptoms
As Alzheimer’s worsens, you may notice someone with Alzheimer’s feeling moody (especially in socially or mentally challenging situations), forgetting details about themselves (e.g., what high school they attended, their phone number or address), and experiencing confusion in where they are or what they’re doing.
During this stage, those with Alzheimer’s may need help choosing the right clothing for the weather, they may have trouble controlling their bladder and bowels, and can experience dramatic changes in sleep patterns.
Late-Stage Symptoms
In the latest stage of Alzheimer’s, symptoms are worse and individuals require around-the-clock care and can experience changes in physical abilities, like walking, sitting, and swallowing. At this stage, these people also become vulnerable to infections.
The rate at which people with Alzheimer’s decline is dramatically different based on a myriad of individual factors.
Alzheimer’s Treatment
While Alzheimer’s has no cure, there are options to treat symptoms and change disease progression. For example, to help with sleep changes, those with Alzheimer’s can avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, maintain regular mealtimes and sleep/wake times, or try one of several medications.
Aducanumab has recently received FDA approval and is currently being distributed across the nation as the first therapy to address the biology of Alzheimer’s disease.
You can read more about treatment options here.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and to find out how you can help, visit https://www.alz.org/.
