ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE / COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE ELDERLY

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, cognitive impairment caused by brain cell degeneration.

This neurological condition usually affects seniors and elderly but can affect any individual at any age.

WHAT CAUSES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are a lot of studies on what causes Alzheimer’s and how to treat it and prevent it.

Right now, it’s commonly believed to be caused by three factors:

Age related changes within the brain
Genetic and hereditary factors
Lifestyle and environment

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

We all become more forgetful and slightly confused as we age. If someone you love is showing some forgetfulness and confusion, it doesn’t mean they have Alzheimer’s disease.

If you suspect that an elderly or senior loved one may have Alzheimer’s, they need to be taken to a medical specialist to be assessed and diagnosed.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are various cognitive disorders that affect the memory for elderly and seniors.

One such condition is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

While this condition does affect the memory and presents as confusion and forgetfulness, it does not affect a person’s everyday life.

The actual symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary from one person to the next, this neurological condition presents as more than just memory loss.

Common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

Word-Finding / Verbal Expression
Visual / Spatial Issues
Display Impaired Reasoning Ability

It’s important to understand that not every person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s has dementia.

The reverse is also true – someone diagnosed with dementia doesn’t always have Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two separate neurological conditions.

STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

There are three stages of progression for Alzheimer’s disease

Early Stage
Moderate Stage
Late / Severe Stage

Someone displaying signs of early Alzheimer’s will have trouble with daily task such as forgetfulness, paying bills, asking questions repeatedly, wandering and may start showing personality and behavioral changes.

As the disease progresses, they will have more trouble recognizing family and friends or complete tasks that require multiple steps.

This is due to damage to areas of the brain control reasoning conscious thought language and sensory processing. At this stage they can also suffer from hallucinations delusions and paranoia.

This may also lead to another condition that causes severe anxiety and agitation as night approaches.

You can click this link for more information on Sundowners Syndrome.

In the severe or late stages of Alzheimer’s, the body begins to shut down and someone suffering through this stage may spend most or all of their time in bed. They require help for all of their personal care including toiletry, bathing, hand feeding, companionship, and safety supervision.

HOW A-1 HOME CARE AGENCY CAN HELP

Our non-medical Home Care Organization (HCO) has over 30 years experience helping Seniors and Elderly in their homes as they age. We have knowledgeable and compassionate caregivers, home health aides, nurse aides, and personal care assistants, qualified to help people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, and Sundowner Syndrome.

A-1 Home Care Agency provides the home-based care and safety supervision your loved one needs for any stage of Alzheimer’s. we serve residence of Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley, and Orange County in Southern California.

All our caregivers must: