Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Month. When there are noticeable changes in thinking, reasoning, and behavior, the word dementia is used to describe those symptoms.
These are the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease as reported on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website.
- Memory loss that disrupts normal life, forgetting appointments and repeating themselves.
- Challenges in planning or problem solving like paying bills or cooking.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks like driving or using a cell phone.
- Confusion of time or place like understanding events that are happening.
- Trouble with visual comprehension, perception of space, such as balancing and dropping things.
- Recent problems with words, written or spoken.
- Losing things and not being able to retrace your steps.
- Judgment decreased of things such as hygiene and taking care of a pet.
- Withdrawing from social activities and work.
- Changes in mood or personality such as being fearful or suspicious.
The inevitable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia like aging and genetics cannot be changed.
In a report published by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2019, 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of cognitive disorder. The report states that Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed in 60 – 80% of dementia cases. It is also the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that slowly gets worse over time. After diagnosis, most people live an average of four to eight years, with some people living as many as twenty years. The monetary impact of this disease is devastating to families; people leave their employment to care for a parent or other aging family member with dementia.
According to AlzImpact.org the costs of Alzheimer’s to Medicare and Medicaid is more than any other disease, including cancer. The cost per person without Alzheimer’s is $7,750 per year, while the cost for a person with Alzheimer’s is $25,213 per year, and it is on the rise.
There are other costs to consider as the disease progresses. They will need in-home care, transportation, medications, personal care, someone to take care of finances, and make medical decisions. All these things need to be discussed as a person ages. Do not wait until it is too late, do it before retirement age. Have that talk when the person is still legally able to make those decisions. After the diagnosis, it may be too late. According to all the doctors, scientists and researchers, there are many factors that may be a predictor of the disease.
One thing that they all seem to agree upon is that there is no definitive conclusion, yet there are things that can be done today to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Start early and take better care of the heart and muscles, especially the brain. Eat a healthy diet and keep active in body and mind.
Diane Sikora
Reporter