Living with Alzheimer’s: Are You Aware?

By Jasmyne Hartman, CHS Senior

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Many people confuse AD with old age, so how do you know if your loved one is suffering?

There is no single test that proves a person has Alzheimer's, yet there are diagnoses that consider all possible causes. Approximately 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s and about 18 million worldwide; therefore as a caretaker, you play a major role as far as responsibilities. The biggest challenge is safety; sometimes patients can be violent due to not understanding why they are ill, or sometimes they might not have any behavioral issues at all, according to Bonita DeMello, RN.

“I’ve had residents that have tried to bite me because they saw me as a threat," said DeMello. "When that happens, sometimes all they need to hear is that they're in a safe place and I’m not going to hurt them." 

AD is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in the family and there is a chance it will get passed on throughout each generation. AD affects both sexes but mainly women because they generally live longer than men and have more hormones that affect the brain chemicals and tissues. Typically people over 65 years old are diagnosed; it is rare yet possible for people to be diagnosed between the ages of 30-50. Studies from neuroscientists show that on average, people with Alzheimer's disease die within 8 to 10, and rarely 20 years of diagnosis due to the brain tissues that become damaged over the time period, making it impossible to function at all.

The number of AD cases in the United States is estimated that the population will double by 2025, and is raising concerns about the nation's ability to afford Medicare and Medicaid.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include the following: anxiety, agitation, confusion, difficulty recognizing family and friends, forgetting how to use ordinary things, and more. Unfortunately, there is no treatment currently available, however, the prescription drugs Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), or Galantamine (Reminyl) may help delay the progression of symptoms associated with AD.

The chances are unfortunately high that your loved one could become diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It’s imperative to understand how to prepare for it and how to take control. As a caretaker, it is important to always make time for yourself to continue any hobbies, etc., as to not allow being a caretaker to completely overtake your own lifestyle.

For more information, visit:

www.alzfdn.org or www.alz.org/ri/.