Spotlight on the Alzheimer’s Association

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative, irreversible brain condition. In this article, we will look at the vital work that the Alzheimer’s Association undertakes in supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and their local communities. In addition, we will examine what Alzheimer’s disease is and how it affects people’s lives.

How does the Alzheimer’s Association help people with the condition?

The Alzheimer’s Association provides support to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The organization also connects individuals living with or caring for people with Alzheimer’s with vital resources and support.

For those living with Alzheimer’s, the association connects them with professionals and peers to help them live their best life for as long as possible. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Live Well program encourages people with Alzheimer’s to focus on their wellness, health, and aspects of life that they find most meaningful.

What is the goal of the Alzheimer’s Association’s First Survivor campaign?

The First Survivor program invites individuals and communities to join the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, helping to advance public policy, fund research, and spur scientific breakthroughs.

The objective of the program is to provide local support to people living with Alzheimer’s, as well as their caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association’s goal is to ease the burden for everyone facing the condition, until the organization accomplishes its ultimate goal: finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

What is the most common form of Alzheimer’s disease?

The most common form of the condition is late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, of which the first signs typically occur in individuals ages 60 and over. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect individuals in their 30s. However, this form of the condition is extremely rare.

How does Alzheimer’s affect the brain?

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in elderly patients. The condition causes physiological changes to the brain and affects a person’s ability to think, remember, and to eventually carry out routine tasks.

Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered the condition in 1906 by studying a woman with an unusual mental illness. The woman’s condition resulted in a steep decline in cognitive function, leading to memory loss, unpredictable behavior, and language problems.

Following the patient’s death, Dr. Alzheimer examined the anatomy of her brain. He noticed structural changes to the brain tissue. Dr. Alzheimer discovered abnormal clumps (now commonly referred to by specialists as “amyloid plaques”) and tangled bunches of fibers (now known as “neurofibrillary”).

These two structural brain abnormalities are widely regarded as the main physiological characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease today. Nevertheless, other complex brain changes are believed to play a role in the progression of the disease.

Neurons are the brain’s nerve cells. They transmit messages from one region of the brain to another and relay messages to organs and muscles throughout the human body. Neurons control people’s ability to walk, talk, blink, and even breathe. Alzheimer’s affects connections between neurons and impact individuals’ ability to perform even the simplest tasks.

The hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays an instrumental role in making memories. This region is particularly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, damage becomes more widespread, impacting different regions of the brain. In the final stages of the disease, Alzheimer’s actually causes the brain to shrink in size.

How many people in the United States are affected by Alzheimer’s disease?

Experts estimate that up to 5.5 million American citizens aged 65 or older may be affected by the condition. It is widely recognized that many individuals under age 65 may also have Alzheimer’s disease. Unless we find a cure or an effective treatment, many more people will be affected by Alzheimer’s if the current population trends continue.

What are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

Memory problems are a typical symptom in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease, although symptoms can vary widely from one individual to another.

Alzheimer’s disease affects a person’s thinking, particularly their ability to find the right words. The condition can impair reasoning and judgement, and it can result in visual/spacial issues.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common initial sign of Alzheimer’s, although it is important to remember that not everyone with Alzheimer’s disease will go on to develop MCI.

As the disease progresses, everyday tasks like paying bills, preparing meals, and driving can become increasingly difficult. People with Alzheimer’s often repeat the same questions; lose things or leave them in odd places; get lost easily; and find even simple, everyday chores to be more difficult. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, people with the disease may become angry, anxious, or violent.

What is the prognosis for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, meaning that the symptoms worsen over time. The period from the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s to death can vary greatly, from as little as three years, to as long as 10 if an individual is diagnosed earlier in life. In the United States today, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death.