September Wellness Spotlight

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain disease that is caused by damage to nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. These neurons are essential to all human activity, including thinking, talking, and walking. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia accounting for an estimated 60% to 80% of cases. The September Wellness Spotlight outlines statistics, signs and symptoms, Alzheimer’s management, and resources.

Facts & Figures

An estimated 6.9 million people are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2024.

• This is 1 in 9 people 65 and older
• The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s increases with age:
  • 5% of people age 65 to 74 have Alzheimer’s
  • 13.2% of people age 75 to 84 have Alzheimer’s
  • 33.4% of people age 85+ have Alzheimer’s
• Researchers believe that approximately 110 of every 100,000 people age 30-64, or about 200,000 Americans in total, have younger-onset dementia

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s can vary from person to person. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe and include increased confusion and changes in behavior. In most cases for people with late-onset variety, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is when a person develops Alzheimer’s before age 65. Typically, memory, language, and thinking problems are the first symptoms to occur. How quickly the disease progresses and what abilities are impacted may differ from case to case. Eventually, those with Alzheimer’s may need help with activities of daily living (getting into and out of bed, dressing, bathing, using the toilet, eating, and grooming).

Listed below are some common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Memory loss, especially of recent events, names, places, and other new information
• Confusion about time and place
• Struggling to complete familiar tasks such as brushing teeth
• Trouble finding appropriate words
• Difficulties in judging situations
• Changes in mood or personality

3 Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early (Mild) Symptoms/Signs:

• Forget words or misplace things
• Forget something they just read
• Ask the same question again and again
• Have more touble making plans or organizing
• Difficulty remembering names when meeting new people

Middle (Moderate) Symptoms/Signs:

• Increased memory loss and confusion
• Trouble recognizing family and friends
• Repeating stories, favorite wants (foods, places, songs, etc.) or motions
• Decreased ability to perform complex tasks (ex- planning dinner) or handling personal finances
• Lack of caring for hygiene and appearance
• Needing assistance in picking out outfits for day, season, or occasion

Late (Severe) Symptoms/Signs:

• Recognize faces but forget names
• Mistaking people for someone else
• Delusions (ex. thinking they need to go to work even though they no longer work)
• Strong need for holding something close for tactile stimulation, nurtuting, companionship and comfort
• Trouble with basic abilities such as eating, walking and sitting up
• Difficulty with recognizing when they are thirsty/hungry

Management

Actions for the Person Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers

• Becoming educated about the disease
• Maintaining a sense of self and relationships with others
  • Participating in activities that are meaningful and bring purpose to one’s life
  • Identifying opportunities to connect with others living with dementia and their caregivers and participating in related activities
• Planning for the future
  • Future health care needs
  • Changes in employment
  • Financial changes

Helpful Resources

Walk to End Alzheimer’s: September 29th, 2024 – Register & learn more here

Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900

More Alheimer’s Resources: Click HERE

• Resources and information for individuals living with the disease, caregivers, and professional healthcare providers
• FREE TRAINING SESSIONS HERE
  • 10 Warning signs of Alzheimer’s
  • Understanding Alzehimer’s and Dementia
  • Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances
  • & many more!

FREE TTADA SESSION: September 17, 10:00-11:00am

• Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia – REGISTER HERE
  • Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

References

alzfdn.org/caregiving-resources/about-alzheimers-disease-and-dementia/

https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-symptoms-and-diagnosis/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease