Is It Alzheimer's

Last week, your husband misplaced his keys for the hundredth time.  Unfortunately, this time he doesn’t know what they’re for.  Grandmother got lost again, but this time the police have brought her home.  When grandpa couldn’t remember Bobby’s name, you thought it was just forgetfulness, but last week he forgot your name.  He also thinks someone is stealing things from his home.

Memory loss, disorientation, confusion and suspiciousness described in these examples are common symptoms that something is wrong.  These symptoms are typically signs of dementia, especially degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.  

In 1907, Dr. Alois Alzheimer described what he called a “peculiar disease of the cerebral cortex” in a 51 year old woman suffering from a progressive dementia.  In recognition of his findings, the term Alzheimer’s disease was coined.

The annual cost of the disease in America is more than $200 billion.  It is projected that by the year 2050 it will be $1.2 trillion.  Today, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  By 2050, up to 16 million will have the disease.  In America, 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 have it and 1 in 3 people aged 85 and older have the disease.  

Caregivers are getting burned out.  According to the 2013 Alzheimer’s Association fact sheet, “In 2012, 15.4 million family and friends provided 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias - care valued at $216.4 billion dollars.”

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease are seen in the development of memory impairment, especially recent and delayed memory, as well as one or more of the following disturbances:

·Aphasia, in which the person has difficulty with language, such as word-finding difficulties in which the person can describe what an object is used for, but has forgotten what it is called.

·Apraxia, in which the person has forgotten how to operate something, such as how to use the car keys.

·Agnosia, in which the individual has difficulty perceiving things correctly, such as inability to recognize his or her child.

·Difficulties in judgment.

Alzheimer’s accounts for 70% of all dementias.  Vascular dementias account for 17% and other dementias account for 13%.  The first line of action is to have the individual examined by the family physician.  The family physician can then administer medical tests to determine what the problem is and can refer to other specialists, such as a neurologist or a neuropsychologist to assist in the diagnosis.  If it turns out to be Alzheimer’s, medication and other treatment recommendations, although not able to cure, can add quality months and even years to a person’s life if diagnosed early.

Is it Alzheimer’s?  If in doubt, make an appointment with the family physician.  

The public is invited to a community workshop about Alzheimer's Disease from 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday morning, on June 15th, at the Branson Community Center.  The workshop is sponsored by Branson Christian Church and Ozark Mountain Christian Church and is free.  For additional information, please call 334-3453.