See this illustrative video to understand alzheimers

Dementia and Alzheimers

How to Care for Alzheimer’s sufferer

Memory loss

Ask questions to test memory and orientation. The questions should be extremely basic, for example:

• -        What day is it today?
• -        Where are we now?
• -        How old are you?
• -        What year is it?
• -        What month?
• -        Count backwards from 20 to 1.

Disorientation

Disorientation, or not knowing who or where you are, is closely connected to memory loss.Because it is the short-term memory that goes first, suffers who go out alone have often returned to a house they lived in years ago, thinking they have come home.

Disorientation inside the home can become a problem too but not until the disease is in its later stages. It is important that nothing is moved or changed in the home to preserve continuity. Treatment at home rather than in hospital is preferred and transfer to hospital should be a last resort.

Personality Change

Often, the general behavior and personality of Alzheimers suffers in the later stages will be in complete contrast to their usual behavior they exhibited in earlier life.

Mood swings, aggression, extreme anxiety and nervousness often affect the Alzheimers sufferer and, of course, the carer who can help best by offering continuous reassurance and patience.

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene often becomes a major issue with the sufferer forgetting to wash and bathe. Body odour, and stained and soiled clothing and hands can be a cause of great stress and result in a cruel loss of dignity.

Communication

During the early stages understanding simple speech remains unaffected, but finding the correct words can be a problem.The taking of messages particularly over the telephone can be difficult and this is often one of the first signs of dementia.

As the disease worsens communication will become more difficult as comprehension skills decrease. Eventually their whole speech stops.

Sleep

Their sleep cycle may change. So, instead of wanting to sleep at night and be awake during the day, this could become reversed. This isn’t a problem of itself except for the carer who will have his or her nights disrupted.

The carer is advised to keep the patient active and awake during the day as much as possible. A warm drink at bedtime may help, although any problems with incontinence should be considered. Ensure there are no other reasons for the restless nights, such as joint pain or night cramps.

Malnutrition

Eating and drinking can be a problem with Alzheimer suffers. More accurately the lack of food and drink and the resulting malnutrition is the problem.

They may simply forget or refuse to eat. A well balanced diet is generally required.

Medication

Closely supervise medication. It is very easy for the Alzheimers sufferer to forget they have taken their medication, and take it repeatedly. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and incurable, although there are drugs that can slow the progression. It is one of the saddest diseases in that it is difficult to care for or regularly visit someone who no longer knows your name or recognises you.t.

Dementia and Alzheimers

Risk factors

The largest risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease is in fact age. People who are over the age of 65 double their chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease every five years. It is thought that Alzheimer’s disease can be related at least somewhat to genetics. There is actually a type of Alzheimer’s, familial, that strikes individuals between the ages of 30 and 60 that is inherited. But, in the common form of the disease, there is no direct link that is that obvious.

How to reduce risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease?

There are no definite answers, partly because the disease itself is not fully understood yet.

It is thought that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with lots of mental activity may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. But there are no absolute safeguards against it.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce risk of falling prey to this disease.

1*    Remain mentally active.

Mental activity stimulates the brain neurons. The more you use your brain, the more it creates new neurological pathways and connections. In this respect, the brain is quite like the rest of the body, because if you use it, it tends to remain healthy. And if you don’t, the brain deteriorates.

Anything that engages your brain and keeps you alert and active may help.

2*    Regular physical exercise

The benefits of moderate physical exercise are well documented. Exercise results in increased oxygen flow to the brain and releases chemicals that make you feel good.

Go with any exercise that suits you, after taking your doctor’s advice. Choices include aerobics, gym workouts, tai chi, stretch exercises and more.

3*    Eat healthy food

Your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease are lower if you cut down on cholesterol and fat in your diet. You should avoid junk food and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The latter helps build up your brain cells. Besides, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which are supposed to be good for the whole body including brain.

Foods like leafy vegetables, fish and nuts may be excellent. Consult a doctor or nutritionist and come up with a diet that suits you.

4*    Good family and social relationships

Having great relationships dramatically improves your experience of life. And there are many studies that show that longevity is linked to having good social relationships.

Involve yourself in hobby groups. Join a neighborhood walking club. Go to block parties. Get active in community organizations. Go on weekend trips with friends. There are many ways to stay involved socially.

In the end, leading a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle will contribute immensely to your quality of life. And it can help slow or perhaps even halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease in people who are predisposed to it.

Dementia and Alzheimers

Alzheimer’s Disease , How does it start?

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes gradual loss of a person’s mental abilities. It is the most common form of dementia. It initially affects the cerebral cortex and often starts off as simple forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s disease affects the parts of the brain that control such everyday activities as thoughts, memory and language.

As the disease progresses, the person’s personality may undergo a complete transformation for the worse. The ability to think and function normally may be almost fully lost.

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

In the early stages, a victim of Alzheimer’s disease is quite often found to be in a confused state, and facing problems with short-term memory. There are usually problems with paying attention and in terms of spatial orientation.

Mild forgetfulness is often the first symptom to be seen. Then, it becomes more obvious when people begin to have trouble remembering more recent activities and events. Or, they may have more trouble remembering familiar people, places or things.

In the next stage, the victim of Alzheimer’s starts seeking assistance to carry out those tasks that require heavy lifting. Their speech starts getting affected and quite frequently they stop abruptly after saying half a sentence. Depression, irritation and restlessness are some of the common traits during this stage of illness.

Symptoms become more serious. As simple tasks become harder and harder to do, individuals realize there may be a problem and seek medical advice. Things like not remembering how to brush your teeth or how to tie a shoe become increasingly more difficult. They may not be able to think clearly, may become anxious or even aggressive.

In the advanced stage it becomes difficult for the patient to distinguish between day and night or even recognize the faces of very near and dear ones.

In the last stage of the disease, patients merely exist. They experience total loss of memory and they are unable to eat properly and cannot control themselves to any great extent. Constant care is needed for a patient at this stage.