Julia Chandler - Alzheimers: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Managing Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers

A Complete Guide to Understanding and Managing Alzheimers Disease

Julia Chandler

Text Copyright 2021 by Julia Chandler - All rights reserved.

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Introduction

A ffecting more than 5 million Americans over the age of 65, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. This condition attacks the brain, and it steadily and progressively reduces the brains ability to remember recent events and perform simple activities. Alzheimer's is degenerative, has no cure, and it eventually leads to death.

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of the aging process, and so, it does not affect every older person. Furthermore, its signs and symptoms are far more devastating than occasionally misplacing keys or forgetting the name of a new neighbor. Ongoing research into Alzheimer's seems to indicate a hereditary component, but definitive answers to the complexities of the condition remain to be discovered.

Individuals coping with Alzheimer's, and their caregivers, need a network of support and a guide to help them live their daily lives. The content of this book provides ideas and suggestions for all concerned at every stage of this difficult disease. For instance, what happens before and after diagnosis of Alzheimer's? What should the care plan look like? And, probably one of the most important issues: is a caregiver in place?

In this comprehensive guide, each chapter addresses a specific and important issue.

Chapter 1 outlines the basics regarding dementia and Alzheimer's.

Chapter 2 addresses the specific signs and symptoms of the condition.

Chapter 3 discusses the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

Chapter 4 introduces the reader about the stages of Alzheimer's.

Chapter 5 presents information on treatment options currently available.

Chapter 6 contains considerations about diet and nutritional.

Chapters 7, 8, and 9 delve deeply into the implementation of comprehensive care plans appropriate for each stage of the disease: early, middle, and late.

This guide has a dual purpose: Firstly, it will help people with Alzheimer's live as fully as possible; additionally, it will assist the family, friends, and caregivers of the affected individual in working with, caring for, and loving their loved ones on a daily basis.

Chapter 1: Understanding Alzheimers Disease

A lzheimers disease was given its name by Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist. It is a physical diseasenot a mental or emotional onethat attacks the brain. As the disease progresses, abnormal structures, called tangles and plaques, which are formed by the tau protein and beta-amyloid protein, respectively, start to develop in the brain, slowly killing off brain cells. Alzheimers also causes a reduction of the brain chemicals that are responsible for message transmission within the brain. As the disease progresses, it causes deterioration of a persons memory and communication skills, and it severely affects daily living.

Basic Facts

Dementia is a generalized term for memory loss and the loss of several intellectual abilities that can cause serious disruption to daily life.

Alzheimers primarily affects those over the age of 65; although, around 5% of those who suffer have what is known as early- or younger-onset Alzheimers. This mostly affects people who are in their 40s and 50s.

Alzheimers gets worse over time. It is progressive, and the symptoms tend to worsen on a gradual basis. Memory loss starts out as mild, but by the later stages, most sufferers cannot hold a conversation and are often not aware of where they are.

Alzheimers is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. Once the symptoms become noticeable, sufferers tend to live approximately 8 years, though they can live up to 20 more years. Age and other health conditions affect the progression of the disease.

There is currently no cure, but research is continuing. We are now at a point where treatment can temporarily slow the worst symptoms and quality of life can be improved for both the sufferer and their caregiver. Research continues into finding causes of the disease, how it can be treated, and how it can be prevented.