Alzheimers Disease

• Alzheimer’s disease


  A brain disorder that gets worse over time, characterised by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins, causing the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die
• Dementia


  A gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia
• Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease

  Forgetting recent events or conversations
• Alzheimer’s disease progression

  1. Serious memory problems

  2. Less ability to perform everyday tasks
• Medicines can slow the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms
• Programs and services can help support people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers
• In advanced stages of Alzheimers, there is severe loss of brain function that can cause dehydration, malnutrition or infection
• Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease

  Have trouble with memory
• Everyone has lapses at times, but the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease persists and gets worse
• Over time, memory loss due to Alzheimers affects the ability to function at work or home
• Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease:

  • Changes in sleeping patterns
  • Loss of inhibitions
  • Delusions
  • Misplace items
  • Eventually forget the names of their family members and everyday objects
• Thinking and reasoning

  • Alzheimer’s disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking especially about abstract concepts such as numbers
  • Doing more than one task at once is especially difficult. It may be challenging to manage finances and pay bills on time. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may be unable to recognise and deal with numbers
• Making Judgements and Decisions

  • Alzheimer’s disease causes a decline in the ability to make sensible decisions and judgements in everyday situations.
  • For example, a person may make poor choices in social settings or wear clothes for the wrong type of weather.
  • It may become harder for someone to respond to everyday problems.
  • For example, the person may not know how to handle food burning on the stove or decisions when driving
• Planning and performing familiar tasks

  • Routine activities that require completing steps in order become a struggle. This may include planning and cooking a meal or playing a favourite game. Eventually, people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease forget how to do basic tasks such as dressing and bathing.
• Changes in Personality and Behaviour

  Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease can affect moods and behaviours. Problems may include the following:

  • Depression
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Social withdrawal
  • Mood swings
  • Distrust in others
  • Anger or aggression
  • Changes in sleeping habits
  • Wandering
  • Loss of inhibitions
  • Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen.