Alzheimer’s Patient Home Care Santa Clarita

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects the memory center of the brain and other cognitive abilities. It’s the most common cause of dementia.

A common misconception is that Alzheimer’s is a natural part of aging in humans, but this is not the case. It does occur more frequently in people who are 65 years of age or older but can still happen to those who are younger.

The main thing that Alzheimer’s affects is memory, with sufferers experiencing memory loss of varying degrees. As a progressive disease, the effects worsen over time, eventually leading to a point where the Alzheimer’s patient may not be able to coherently carry a conversation, and may also fail to respond to the environments around them.

Although there is no cure for the disease at this time, there are treatments that can slow the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life for those suffering from it. Worldwide efforts are working towards tackling the disease in the form of further treatments, delaying its onset, and prevention of the disease entirely.

As far as symptoms go, the most common one is the difficulty or inability to remember newly-learned information. Small memory issues and slower thinking is not abnormal for most people, but more serious memory loss or cognitive decline can be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s.

Since Alzheimer’s typically starts in the part of the brain responsible for learning new information, short-term memory loss is the most common symptom, but it eventually progresses to the point where it can have more serious effects, such as disorientation, confusion, behavior and mood changes, and even suspicions about family and friends.

With that said, the amount of information regarding diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s Disease is growing every day with the efforts of doctors and researchers all over the world. If you feel someone you love may have symptoms of Alzheimer’s, take the time to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

What is the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Alzheimer’s and Dementia are frequently confused for one another, but they are not the same thing. Alzheimer’s is a distinct disease and a type of dementia. Dementia is a title used to incorporate many conditions that have symptoms that negatively affect the brain.

Dementia is the overarching title given for a deterioration in mental ability that is substantial enough to conflict with day to day life. There are many different types of dementia, with the most prevalent one being Alzheimer’s. Still, there are other types, such as mixed dementia, young-onset dementia, and vascular dementia. People with dementia start out with just being a little forgetful, or maybe it is difficult for them to keep track of time. As it progresses, the episodes of forgetfulness and confusion begin to get more frequent, and the person with the symptoms may start to ask questions repeatedly and not be able to recall faces or names. In the concluding stage of dementia, the person will become incapable of caring for themselves and may display signs of aggression and depression.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain that can cause mental impairment and loss of cognitive abilities. In the years before symptoms begin to manifest, unusual protein deposits build up tangles in the brain that prevent the connection between brain cells, and they begin to die off. Indications of Alzheimer’s can be presented as disorientation, behavioral shifts, diminished judgment, and trouble remembering recent events or conversations. While Alzheimer’s itself doesn’t have a cure, the symptoms can be managed in order to lessen the impact they have on the individual. Most seniors with Alzheimer’s can live a fun and comfortable life but may need some help. That’s where Comfort Keepers comes in. We can provide the day to day help a family may need caring for a loved one with this disease.

The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts the activity of the mind. Not only is it a disease that can be debilitating and frightening for the person it targets, but it can also play on the emotions and physical capabilities of family members. The disease tends to progress in stages with each one becoming a bit more severe than the previous one. Sometimes, outside help in the form of home care is needed to help with the issues that develop during the later stages of the disease.

Preclinical

This is a stage that can sometimes be seen with someone in their 40s or 50s. There usually aren’t any outward signs of the disease, but diagnostic scans can usually pick up on changes in the brain that could lead to symptoms later in life.

Mild Impairment

If someone develops mild impairments that impact the way the person completes tasks at home or talks to family members and friends, it’s not a sure sign that the person will develop Alzheimer’s. There will usually be lapses in the memory in this stage, causing the person to forget special events or doctor’s appointments. Family members can help by writing details down where they can easily be seen in the home.

Dementia

It is during this stage when a person’s doctor will usually make a diagnosis and begin preparing the person and the family for what could come as the disease progresses. Some of the things family members might notice include forgetting names, staying indoors and to oneself more than before, and misplacing items that were once kept in specific places. As the disease progresses, the person could forget where they are going whether they are walking or driving. The person could become anxious or depressed. Appliances could be left on in the home, and the person might not use the best judgment when making important decisions.

Final Stages

When the disease is in the final stages, family members will usually notice that the person needs help with basic activities, such as bathing and getting dressed. The person might not be able to swallow, and will usually get to the point where they forget to breathe during the day. Hospice care can usually provide assistance during the final stages of the disease.