Seniors and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It affects the lives of millions of seniors. Each year, many more are diagnosed with this disease, for which there is no cure. However, research is being conducted on various drugs that will hopefully be effective in slowing down the disease and allowing it to be detected at earlier stages. Below is some more information about Alzheimer’s research.

1.    More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.

2.    As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.

3.    Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.

4.    Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.

5.    Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.

6.    Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.

7.    Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.

Source: Consumer Health Day

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.

Knowing when your loved one is demonstrating signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s can be one of the first steps to establishing a medical diagnosis and determining appropriate senior care. Read on to determine if the senior in your life could be exhibiting symptoms of dementia.

1.   Memory Loss – everyone has brief memory lapses; it’s not unusual to forget the occasional name or date and remember it later, however, seniors with dementia may forget pieces of information that they are never able to recall.
2.    Difficulty performing familiar tasks – seniors with dementia may forget simple tasks, like how to turn on the stove.
3.    Problems with language – sentences formed by a senior with dementia may be hard to understand, they may forget words or substitute inappropriate ones.
4.    Disorientation – seniors with dementia may get lost when close to home because they are disoriented with time and place.
5.    Poor judgment – seniors may have trouble making decisions, or dress inappropriately for the weather.
6.    Misplacing things in strange places – seniors with dementia may put the milk in the bathroom or their keys in the fridge.
7.    Mood changes – often seniors with dementia have rapid mood swings for no discernable reason.
8.    Problems with abstract thinking – dealing with numbers may be especially difficult.
9.    Personality changes – seniors with dementia may become fearful, suspicious and paranoid or demonstrate behaviors unusual for them.
10.    Loss of initiative – seniors with Alzheimer’s may lack motivation on a regular basis; getting out of bed or getting dressed may require prompting.

Check out this resource for more information on Dementia: http://seniorcare.homeinstead.com/alzheimers-dementia/

Sources:
1.    Northwestern University
2.    Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Home Care Bakersfield provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Lamont, Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Taft, Shafter, Bodfish, Wofford Heights, Rosedale, Oildale, Kernville area. Call us today at 661-321-3235.