Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's to think clearly or perform normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. According to the Center's for Disease Control (CDC), Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death for adults aged 65 years and older, and the sixth leading cause of death for all adults.
Alzheimer's starts slowing and gets worse over time. Sufferers may not recognize family members and have trouble speaking, reading, or writing. Eventually, they may become aggressive, or wander away from home. Ultimately, complete care will be needed.
Unfortunately there currently is no treatment to stop or reverse the disease. There are, however, some drugs that may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a time. Some risk factors for brain health cannot be controlled or prevented, like your age or genetics. Other risk factors, like healthy choices, are under your control. For example, you can get physically active, learn new things, or connect with your family, friends.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or another dementia. There are warning signs and symptoms; if you notice any of them, please contact your doctor.
Things you once did easily will become increasingly difficult, such as maintaining a schedule or managing money. You may already be aware of changes in your ability to complete daily tasks that once came naturally to you. Accepting changes in your abilities and adapting new coping skills can help you restore balance to your life.
When diagnosing dementia doctors first assess whether a patient has an underlying treatable condition such as depression, abnormal thyroid function, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or vitamin deficiency. Early diagnosis is important, some symptoms can be treated. In most cases, the specific type of dementia cannot be confirmed until after the patient has died and the brain can be examined.
Doctors have identified many other conditions that can cause dementia-like symptoms. These conditions include:
Many caregivers of older adults face difficult challenges when caring for people with dementia. Everyday tasks may seem endless from arranging doctor’s appointments, to transportation, feeding, and much more. Difficult situations, such as hospitalization and making decisions about long-term care, also arise.
Read our Dementia Behavior Guide
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
1-800-438-4380 (toll-free)
adear@nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The National Institute on Aging’s ADEAR Center offers information
and free print publications about Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center
staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals
to local and national resources.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
1-800-352-9424 (toll-free)
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
www.ninds.nih.gov
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
1-866-507-7222 (toll-free)
info@theaftd.org
www.theaftd.org
Lewy Body Dementia Association
1-404-975-2322
1-844-311-0587 (toll-free LBD Caregiver Link)
www.lbda.org
Alzheimer's Association
1-800-272-3900 (toll-free, 24/7)
1-866-403-3073 (TTY/toll-free)
info@alz.org
www.alz.org
National Association for Rare Disorders
1-203-744-0100
1-800-999-6673 (toll-free Patient Services)
orphan@rarediseases.org
www.rarediseases.org
