Aside from Thanksgiving, November brings with it the significance of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. This is a month-long campaign dedicated to shedding light on Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on individuals and families around the world.
Recognizing the importance of this cause, Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville stands committed to promoting Alzheimer’s awareness not just in November but throughout the entire year. In this blog post, we delve into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, its symptoms, and the need for continual awareness.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex brain disorder that worsens over time. It not only affects memory but also impairs thinking and the ability to perform daily activities. Starting with subtle lapses in memory, it progresses into severe mental, physical, and behavioral challenges. Alzheimer’s is not a result of healthy aging, and there is currently no known cure.
In the brain, Alzheimer’s impacts areas linked to memory, movement, thinking, and language. Abnormal plaques and tangles, known as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary, damage these crucial brain regions. Many scientists believe that misfolded proteins between brain cells may trigger the disease, resulting in deteriorating cognitive functions and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 6 million Americans. Most of the cases are seen in adults aged 75 or older, and as the population of seniors in America rises, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise with it.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Signs and Symptoms
The primary goal of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to educate the public about its symptoms. Early detection is paramount, and understanding the signs can significantly improve prognosis and quality of life. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a common precursor to Alzheimer’s, manifests as subtle memory and thinking issues. Monitoring the symptoms of MCI under medical guidance is essential for understanding the disease’s progression.
MCI Symptoms:
Losing things often
Forgetting appointments
Difficulty finding words
While some memory issues may be normal for aging adults, frequent occurrences of forgetfulness could be a sign of mild cognitive impairment. Losing your watch or forgetting a doctor’s appointment is to be expected, but if forgetfulness becomes a daily norm, it’s critical to seek medical guidance.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms:
Repetitive questions
Trouble with daily activities
Hallucinations and paranoia
Given the individualized nature of symptoms, ongoing observation is crucial for doctors to comprehend normal functioning levels and disease progression.
As stated above, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are much more noticeable and pronounced compared to the symptoms of MCI. The symptoms may differ from person to person, which is why seeing a doctor becomes so important. A doctor will be able to determine a person’s baseline cognitive abilities and monitor their status for any potential changes.
Managing Alzheimer’s Symptoms and Potential Treatments
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, various prescription drugs are available to either manage its symptoms or address the disease itself. Typically, FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer’s are most effective during the early or middle stages of the disease.
Cholinesterase inhibitors, among other medications, are commonly prescribed to alleviate mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s. These drugs can help control cognitive decline and may also help in mitigating behavioral symptoms associated with the condition. Additionally, there are emerging immunotherapy treatments designed to target the amyloid plaques in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease. These treatments show promise as they can potentially reduce the size of plaques and slow down disease progression, although they are still undergoing testing.
Apart from drug interventions, there are alternative approaches to symptom management, including activities that stimulate cognitive functioning. Engaging in puzzles, creative outlets, and participating in group social activities can activate memory and help maintain current cognitive levels. At Regency Huntsville, our Memory Care staff organizes such activities for residents with dementia disorders or Alzheimer’s Disease, aiming to minimize memory loss.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Year-Round
Given the significant impact of Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to sustain awareness beyond Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Despite the absence of a cure, the emergence of more treatments with positive effects and approvals for treatment is promising. Increasing our understanding of Alzheimer’s symptoms improves the likelihood of early detection and the pursuit of treatments that can enhance quality of life.
At Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville, our commitment to Alzheimer’s Awareness extends throughout the year, benefiting our residents, their families, and the community we’ve cultivated. By fostering year-round awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, we can achieve the following:
Encourage Early Detection:
Early diagnosis significantly enhances the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s. Regular cognitive assessments and ongoing awareness initiatives contribute to timely detection, leading to improved care and support.
Provide Continuous Education:
Ongoing education about Alzheimer’s fosters a compassionate and well-informed community. Sharing resources, organizing workshops, and engaging in discussions increase understanding and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.
Support Caregivers:
Recognizing the vital role of caregivers, we aim to provide year-round support, resources, and respite care. Additionally, we collaborate with caregivers to transition their loved ones to more specialized, supportive care within our community when needed.
We share this information with the hope that it expands your understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and its global impact. By raising awareness, we aim to support those affected by the disease and their families. The more we understand about Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders the more prepared we are to manage symptoms and explore effective treatment options.
If you or a loved one has questions about Alzheimer’s disease or our Memory Care facility, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our dedication to supporting families through the aging process aligns with our mission to help them make the best care choices. During National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, consider sharing this blog or other informative resources to empower everyone to take charge of their health journeys.