BASICS OF
ALZHEIMER’S
DISEASE
WHAT IT IS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
Geri T., living with Alzheimer's, and her
husband and care partner, Jim T.
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WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S
DISEASE?
Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease
of the brain that causes problems with
memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a
normal part of aging.
Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. Although
symptoms can vary widely, the first problem
many people notice is forgetfulness that’s
severe enough to affect their ability to
function at home or at work, or to enjoy
hobbies.
The disease may cause a person to become
confused, get lost in familiar places, misplace
things or have trouble with language.
It can be easy to explain away unusual
behavior as part of normal aging, especially
for someone who seems physically healthy.
However, any concerns about memory loss
should be discussed with a doctor.
CONTENTS
1. Alzheimer’s and other dementias .......... p.2
2. How Alzheimer’s affects the brain ....... p.4
3. Causes and risk factors .............................. p.7
4. How to find out if it’s
Alzheimer’s disease ....................................... p.9
5. When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s ....... p.13
6. Stages of the disease ................................... p.15
7. Treating the symptoms............................... p.18
8. Hope for the future ..................................... p.23
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1. ALZHEIMER’S AND
OTHER DEMENTIAS
Alzheimer’s
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s,
the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s
accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia
cases. That includes 10 percent of those age 65
and older and one-third of those 85 and older.
Alzheimer’s also impacts the more than 15 million
Americans who provide these individuals with
unpaid care.
Dementia
Dementia is a general term for the loss of
memory and other cognitive abilities serious
enough to interfere with daily life.
Other types of dementia
» Vascular dementia is a decline in thinking
skills caused by conditions that block or
re