Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

My mother is suffering from Alzheimer's  disease. I noticed her having memory trouble several years before anyone else in the family. She was in denial that her memory was being affected. She blamed all her problems for not remembering on 'her teeth'. She had new dentures and they were her scapegoat for everything.

It progressed slowly at first but in the past year, the speed this disease has consumed her has been difficult to deal with. She is now in a memory care unit of an assisted living facility. Most of the other residents suffer from it as well. It seems to affect people in very different ways before totally consuming their brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a horrible and destructive disease, and whether you know someone who is suffering from the disease or not, you should learn some facts about Alzheimer’s disease, so that you are more informed and knowledgeable in general and so that you will be able to understand it better if anyone you know ever does develop the disease.

Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the most important facts about Alzheimer’s disease is that it is not considered as being a normal part of the aging process. Rather, it is a serious and debilitating condition that affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. So although most people do experience at least some form of memory loss as they age, Alzheimer’s disease is much more serious, and will become noticeably so over time.

Another of the important facts about Alzheimer’s disease is that as it progresses, thinking, reasoning and the ability to communicate properly all decrease dramatically. Eventually, the person gets to the point where they basically cannot move at all because they have no idea what to do or where to go. As a result, even in the beginning everyday activities such as eating, bathing and dressing become increasingly difficult. In time, the person will obviously need the help of others just to get through the day.

Yet another of the most significant facts about Alzheimer’s disease involves noticing the signs and symptoms. Although in some rare cases there are actually none at all, in most cases you will notice certain symptoms and so you should always keep an eye out for these types of signs and symptoms when you are older, especially if you are over the age of sixty.

Some of the most common symptoms are: memory loss and changes in expressive speech, inability to learn any new information, taking longer to finish routine daily tasks, mood and personality changes such as depression or increased anxiety problems, difficulty with planning meals or taking medications on schedule, trouble with performing simple math problems or handling money, confusion about the location of familiar places, and poor judgment which often will lead to faulty decisions.

Alzheimer’s is absolutely one of the most horrifying and destructive diseases in the world today. It is incredibly hard to watch a loved one as they suffer through it. There is no cure as of yet, however you can do your part by standing by them and helping them in any way you can.

This website is a journey for me to understand and share my experiences.