Alzheimer’s
disease is a degenerative and progressive brain disorder characterized
by memory loss and problems with reasoning and judgment, planning
and organization, language, and spatial abilities. Changes in
personality and behavior also can occur.
There are more than 55 diseases that can cause dementia, but
by far the most common type of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s
disease.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurological
disorder in the United States; it occurs most often in individuals
over the age of 65 years. A person’s chance of developing
the disease increases with age. Individuals 85 years of age
and older have the highest rates of the disease.
Researchers have estimated that approximately 360,000 new cases
of Alzheimer’s disease will occur each year. More than
4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and this
number is expected to triple over the next 20 years with increasing
life expectancies and the aging of the “baby boomer”
generation. Women are more likely than men to develop AD, partly
due to their longer life expectancy.
Alzheimer’s disease usually develops gradually. The earliest
symptom of the disease is impairment in an individual’s
memory for events that have occurred recently (such as events
or conversations that took place 1 to 2 days earlier).
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, effective
medical and behavioral treatments are available. These treatments
may help to slow the progression of the disease. Early diagnosis
of Alzheimer’s disease is important for managing the effects
of the disease.
Over time, an individual with Alzheimer’s disease will
have a decline in his or her ability to function independently.
The average time between the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
and death is 8 to 10 years, but this can vary from person to
person. Legal and financial arrangements should be made regarding
the individual’s estate and ongoing care. Family members
along with the individual’s physician or health care professional
should also determine whether the individual needs different
living arrangements because of the increasing level of care
needed to ensure his or her safety.
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