Everything You Need to Know about Alzheimer's and the Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that destroys memory and cognitive skills, affects an estimated 5.6 million Americans over the age of 65. Around 200,000 under age 65 are living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Read on for a look at the important work of the Alzheimer’s Association, which works to help affected individuals and their families, providing guidance and support.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition, meaning it gets worse over time, and often leaves individuals incapable of carrying out basic tasks. Late-onset Alzheimer’s is the most common form of the disease, with symptoms typically affecting people in their mid-60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can develop by the age of 30, though it is quite rare.
The majority of dementia cases in older adults are attributable to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered the disease in 1906.
Dr. Alzheimer was investigating the case of a female patient who had died following an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included language problems, unpredictable behavior, and memory loss. When examining brain tissue following her death, Dr. Alzheimer noticed abnormal clumps (now known as amyloid plaques), as well as tangled fibers (known as neurofibrillary). Today, scientists recognize these tangles and plaques as characteristic traits of Alzheimer’s disease.
The condition also disrupts connections between neurons in the brain. Neurons transmit vital messages between different regions of the brain. They are integral to physical coordination as they send messages to muscles, telling them to move. Researchers believe that many other complex changes in the brain play a role in Alzheimer’s disease as well.
Damage typically starts in the hippocampus, the region of the brain associated with memories. As neurons in this region die off, damage spreads to other areas of the brain. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the damage is widespread, leading to significant shrinkage of brain tissue.
What are the main symptoms?
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by memory problems, though initial symptoms can vary from one individual to the next. Other cognitive problems caused by the disease include an inability to think clearly and find the right words, impaired judgment or reasoning, and visual/spatial issues.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a medical condition in its own right. MCI can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, though not everyone who has MCI will go on to develop Alzheimer’s.
People who have Alzheimer’s disease often struggle with everyday tasks, like preparing a meal, shopping, or paying their bills. They may frequently lose things, repeat the same question, put things in strange places, or become disorientated. As the disease progresses, some individuals with Alzheimer’s become anxious, angry, or even violent.
Alzheimer’s itself does not kill people, though individuals with the condition may become progressively incapacitated by the disease. Moreover, this decline in brain function can trigger secondary conditions that may lead to death. For instance, the inability to swallow properly can lead to aspiration pneumonia, where liquid or food goes down the windpipe, entering the lungs and causing damage or infection. Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death of people with Alzheimer’s.
Other Alzheimer’s complications include:
· Bedsores
· Infections
· Falls and associated injuries
· Dehydration
· Malnutrition
· Sepsis from undiagnosed UTIs
Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, a person may live as little as three years or as long as a decade. Age is relevant, as those diagnosed at a younger age tending to live longer.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US today, though recent figures suggest that the disorder ranks third in older people, just behind cancer and heart disease.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers typically concentrate on alleviating individual symptoms.
What does the Alzheimer’s Association do?
A nonprofit organization, the Alzheimer’s Association carries out vital research into Alzheimer’s disease and provides support and care for people living with the condition. Its mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.”
The organization was founded in 1980 to unite caregivers and provide support for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Its founding president was Jerome H. Stone, a man with very personal knowledge of the disease. In 1970 his wife, Evelyn, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. At the time, even within the medical community, information about Alzheimer’s was limited. By founding the Alzheimer’s Association, Mr. Stone brought the disease into the forefront, creating a global conversation.
Today, the Alzheimer’s Association helps millions of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The association supports the families of people with Alzheimer’s, explaining care options as well as stages and behaviors associated with the condition.
Staff members support affected individuals, providing information and putting them in touch with peers and professional caregivers.
Working on a national and local level, the Alzheimer’s Association is the largest funder of research into Alzheimer’s disease. The organization is committed to advancing scientific understanding of Alzheimer’s; developing more effective treatments; paving the way for prevention and, ultimately, producing an effective cure for the condition.