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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible disease that affects the cells of the brain and produces memory loss and intellectual impairments in approximately 4.4 million American adults. The disease affects persons of all racial, economic, and educational backgrounds. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in adults. Dementia may be defined as the loss of memory and intellect that interferes with routine personal, social, or occupational activities. Dementia is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases or conditions. Other symptoms may include change in personality, mood, and behavior. 

Although Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects people over 65, it may also affect people in their fifties and, although rarely, even younger. Other causes of irreversible dementia may include multi-infarct dementia  (a series of minor strokes resulting in widespread death of brain tissue), Pick’s disease, Binswanger’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, and alcohol abuse. 

There is no typical Alzheimer’s patient. There is tremendous variability among patients in their behaviors and in their symptoms. There is no way at present to predict how quickly the disease will progress in any one person; and no way to predict the exact changes that will occur. However, many of these changes will present problems for the caregiver. Knowledge and prevention are key concepts of safety. The basic changes that will occur in Alzheimer’s disease patients are that they will have memory problems and cognitive impairment (difficulties and thinking and reasoning), and eventually, they will be unable to care for themselves. They also may experience confusion, loss, judgment, and difficulty finding words, finishing thoughts, or following directions. They also may experience personality and behavioral changes. They may become more agitated or irritable, or very passive. Alzheimer’s disease patients may wander from home and become lost. They may no longer be able to tell the difference between day and night; and they may wake up, get dressed and start to leave in the middle of the night thinking that the day has just started. They may suffer from losses that affect vision, smell, or taste. 

These disabilities are very difficult, not only for the patient, but for the caregiver, family, and other loved ones as well. Caregivers need resources and reassurance to know that while the challenges are great, there are specific actions to take to reduce some of the safety concerns that accompany Alzheimer’s disease. 

If you have more questions regarding an Elder Law and Guardianship Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. You may also visit my website at: https//:www.AnnMarieGildenLaw.com

This article is for informational purposes only; and it does not form an attorney client privilege.