Alzheimer’s Disease
People affected by memory deficits such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia are quite frankly devastating. A recent report suggested research is very minimum, yet the number of dementia is drastically rising:
- Someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds. There were an estimated 46.8 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2015 and this number is believed to be close to 50 million people in 2017. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 75 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050. Much of the increase will be in developing countries. Already 58% of people with dementia live in low and middle-income countries, but by 2050 this will rise to 68%. The fastest growth in the elderly population is taking place in China, India, and their south Asian and western Pacific neighbors –Alzheimer’s Disease International
Sign and Symptoms
Dementia: a chronic or progressive nature in which there is deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal aging. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment.
- The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behavior, or motivation.
- There’s no cure. -World Health Organization
Delirium: think of diarrhea or how I remember it symptoms are abrupt, fast, with bizarre thoughts or behavior but it should eventually resolve back to normal cognition, and the causes are more metabolic than with dementia (which has no cause):
Etiology of Memory Disorders
Amyloid refers to the abnormal fibrous, extracellular, proteinaceous deposits found in organs and tissues. Amyloid is insoluble and is structurally dominated by the β-sheet structure. Unlike other fibrous proteins, it does not commonly have a structural, supportive, or motility role but is associated with the pathology seen in a range of diseases known as the amyloidoses. -PubMed. Think about the cells “keloiding” microscopically, which is how it eventually leads to problems:
Resources and Support
- ALZConnected: Alzheimer’s caregiver message boards
- Alzheimer’s, How to Address Wandering: A guide from the Mayo Clinic about how to address the challenging issue of wandering
- Communication Strategies for Dementia: Advice on how to communicate with a loved one who has dementia
- Dementia Care Dos and Don’ts: What not to say or do when dealing with difficult dementia behavior problems
- Dementia Stages: A Place for Mom’s guide to coping with the stages of dementia
- Early Stage Dementia: How to Protect Your Aging Parents’ Assets: Seniors with mild cognitive impairment are at risk for making disastrous money management decisions
- Familiar and Difficult Behaviors of Alzheimer’s Patients: Identifying the most common and difficult behaviors of Alzheimer’s patients such as sundowning and verbal outbursts
- Local Support Groups for Caregivers: Search for local caregiving support groups on the Alzheimer’s Association website
- Sundowner’s Syndrome: Common triggers of Sundowner’s syndrome and ways to cope
Alzheimer’s Fundraising and Awareness
- Alzheimer’s Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
- Banner Alzheimer’s Institute: “The leading destination for Alzheimer’s disease care and treatment through research”
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s: The nation’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research
Alzheimer’s Prevention
- Dementia Fighting Vitamins and Minerals: How vitamins and minerals found in a well-rounded diet may promote brain health
- Stress and Alzheimer’s: How researchers are exploring a possible link between stress and dementia
- Ways to Reduce Your Dementia Risk: Practices linked to a lower probability of developing Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia
- What Increases Your Odds of Dementia: Learn the risk factors linked to dementia
- Ways to Keep the Mind Sharp as We Age: Practical advice about keeping the brain healthy
Alzheimer’s Research and Science
- Alzheimer’s Breakthroughs
- Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
- Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures
- Alzheimer’s Research Forum: News and discussions about Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia Research Centre: One of the UK’s leading centers for clinical research into dementia
- Science Daily Alzheimer’s News: Daily news about Alzheimer’s
- University of Washington Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
- Yale University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit
Alzheimer’s Videos
Books About Alzheimer’s
- Frank Broyles, “The Barbara Boyle’s Alzheimer’s Playbook:” A short guide to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s available in nine languages
- Joanne Koenig Coste,“Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with Disease:” A guide for families coming to terms with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
- Martha Stettinius,“Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter’s Memoir:” A daughter’s personal memoir of caregiving for a mother with dementia
- Nancy L. Mace & Peter V. Rabins,“The 36 Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer’s or a Related Illness:” The classic guide to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s
- Patricia Callone, “A Caregiver’s Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease:” A guidebook for caring for a family member Alzheimer’s
- Prudence Twigg & Sandy Burgener, “A Personal Guide to Living with Progressive Memory Loss:” Advice for people who are themselves living with a memory disorder
- Sonya Brewer, “Surviving Normal:” A journal written over a seven-year span about caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s
Clinical Trials
- Reasons to Participate in Clinical Trials: Why participating in trials benefits humanity and Alzheimer’s patients
- Trial Match Tool: The Alzheimer’s Association created this tool to help families find Alzheimer’s clinical studies and trials in their area
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- A Startling Cause of Misdiagnosed Dementia: Learn about the leading causes of misdiagnosed dementia
- Dementia Treatment: Learn about dementia treatment options
- Early Detection Alzheimer’s Tests: Cutting edge tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s: Top signs and symptoms of early-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s
- How Do I Know if It’s Alzheimer’s: Help determining whether your loved one’s forgetfulness is just a “senior moment”
- What is Alzheimer’s Memory Care: Learn about Alzheimer’s care and memory care
- What is Dementia: Learn about the differences between Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia
General Reference Alzheimer’s Resources
Genetic Testing and Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s Association on Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s
- 23andMe Genetic Testing: A private company that provides genetic testing to the general public that can inform those interested in whether they are genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s
Movies About Alzheimer’s
- Aurora Borealis: A well-received independent film where dementia plays an important role in the plot
- Away From Her: Julie Christie plays a woman who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
- Iris: The true story of the English writer Iris Murdoch’s battle with Alzheimer’s
- The Alzheimer’s Project: A moving and informative documentary by HBO about Alzheimer’s
- The Savages: A dark comedy starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman about caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s
Music Therapy for Dementia Patients
- Best Music for Dementia Patients: Tips on choosing music for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease
Nonprofit Organizations
- Alzheimer’s Foundation: A nonprofit focused on promoting quality care for people with Alzheimer’s disease
- The Alzheimer’s Association: The nation’s foremost nonprofit for Alzheimer’s activism, support, and information
Personal Alzheimer’s Blogs
- Ann Napoletan, “Alzheimer’s Journey:” The journey of a longtime Alzheimer’s caregiver
- Carole Larkin, “Alzheimer’s Speaks:” By a caregiver and advocate
- Gevera Bert, “Had a Dad” Alzheimer’s Blog: Experiences as a caregiver and as an advocate in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease
- Joan Gershman, “The Alzheimer’s Spouse:” About caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s
I’ve also personally supported the Alzheimer’s Association. They offer tons of support and online help. Additional Resources for AD
