Not all Alzheimer’s patients exhibit the same symptoms and not all patient’s are in the same stage.  Some symptoms may not appear at all, while others can occur in more than one stage. The following divides the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease into three stages.

First Stage

This phase is known as early Alzheimer’s and lasts  about  two to four years.  It includes the period leading up to the diagnosis.  Symptoms include:

• Asking the same question over and over again
• Being unable to follow a conversation, especially if more than one other person is involved
• Demonstrating an inability to concentrate, causing hobbies and pastimes to be set aside
• Becoming confused about directions or finances
• Being unable to come to decisions
• Losing interest in their surroundings
• Allowing personal hygiene and common courtesies to slide
• Getting lost while driving on familiar streets
• Appearing depressed  

Second Stage

This phase is known as middle stage Alzheimer’s and lasts about two to four years.  Symptoms include:  

• Showing more and more forgetfulness, such as not turning off the oven or taking medication.
• Trouble recognizing friends and family
• Wandering away from home
• Becoming restless or easily upset in the late afternoon (known as sundowning)
• Exhibiting increasing inability to organize and express thoughts in a timely manner
• Difficulty with tasks that require planning
• Having hallucinations or  becoming delusional
• Exhibiting inappropriate behavior
• Sleeping excessively long or hardly at all

Third Stage

This phase is known as severe Alzheimer’s or final stage and lasts about three years. Symptoms include:

• Having difficulty recognizing family members or even recognizing oneself in the mirror
• Appearing to have little or no memory (not recalling what occured minutes before)
• Having difficulty understanding or speaking (may become mute)
• Making grunting, screaming or groaning noises
• Grasping objects and people (compulsively touching or putting things in the mouth)
• Experience incontinence (bladder and bowel)
• Becoming totally dependent for all personal care (including toileting, bathing, eating)
• Having difficulty chewing and swallowing (contributes to weight loss)
• Becoming severely weak and bedridden (increasing susceptibility to infections, seizures and additional health problems.

Information provided by Rachel Zuckerman

According to a report released on Monday for World Alzheimers Day it has been said that the number of people with Alzheimer’s globally is estimated to double every 20 years.

Leading its way will be Asia Pacific at 89 percent, 77 percent in Southern Latin America and North America not too far behind at 63 percent in increase and Europe with an increase of 40 percent.  The reason behind the report is that people are living longer than past generations and population is also expected to grow.  By 2010 there will be over 35 million people all over the world that will be living with dementia and by 2030 it is expected to double that number.

According to National Institutes of Health one in seven Americans over the age of 71 years old have dementia.  Experts say that the cause of the disease are said to be genetic but that others are thought to be preventable.  Participating in physical exercise as well as mental stimulation has been known to keep the brain healthy. Assistant Professor Andrew Carle from George Mason University believes that “Our brains can be made stronger through exercise and that there’s been some evidence that cognitive exercise can at least delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.”

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E can prevent cell damage and are believed to delay the effects of aging on the body. Certains foods with curry are also a good source of preventing dementia. A study that was done in Singapore that showed those who ate curry for a week helped better their memory scores.  

Fish oil is also another good source as they contain anti-flammatory properties and  Phosphatidylserine supplements which is a major component of cell membranes may also help too. 

Article provided by CNN

According to Julie Williams of Cardiff Univesity, UK new studies were found that there are specific genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and a blood protein that speeds up the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s.

The study suggests that disruption of the immune system, the way that cells metabolize fat and the wear and tear on the circulatory system may be as much to blame for this devastating illness or the main cause. Dr. Williams states that the findings “show us the prime pathways into the disease”.

With this new finding it may help researchers figure out the underlying biological process that cause Alzheimer’s. Several doctors are however quick to say that there are no treatments overnight as this new finding will take time but could lead research towards drugs that maintain the health of immune and vascular systems.

It is however still a landmark finding and will give researchers a better understanding of possible pathogenic mechanisms leading to Alzheimer’s disease and will give researchers a new boost to find treatment and prevention for this disease. While the study is a breakthrough it doesn’t give an immediate result for the public, there are no new medications to take and no new genetic test to do.  The study will help strengthen the rationale for anti-amyloid drugs and will also generate more focus on treatments targeting inflammation, which haven’t been successful in the past.

For more on this finding and article go to www.newscientist.com

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disorder of the brain. It develops slowly and often time hard to diagnose in the beginning. An early-stage Alzheimer’s patient may look well and may be able to ”cover up” the signs of the disease. This stage of the disease is also knownas the Onset Period and may last up to five years. Below are some early signs.

• Poor concentration and a short attention span
• Short-term memory problems.
• Depression
• Forgetfulness for example forgetting names, dates and how things work.
• Problems making decisions. Loss of concentration.
• Erratic mood behavior, can easily become frustrated, cranky or just doesn’t talk .  

According to researchers from Utah State University, Duke University, John Hopkins and Boston University; studies show that seniors who have a close relationship with their caregivers can improve the quality of their life and influence their progression with Alzheimer’s. 

Seniors who have a strong bond with their caregivers revealed that they had a slower cognitive decline. The effect was even higher when the caregiver was their spouse. There are still more studies to be done as to which of their activities or involvement with the caregiver seem to contribute to the effect. But one thing for sure is that the time and care that the spousal caregiver invests does matter. While it makes sense that spousal caregiver provides the highest benefit, this can also work with adult children and other relatives taking care of their loved ones.

Although, the effects aren’t apparent having a close relationship with your loved one does go a long way. The disease is still there but there is nothing more comforting than knowing that someone you love and trust is there to take care of you especially in your time of need.     

Article provided by caring.com

Backyards can be a relaxing place to stroll or enjoy the sunlight for some Alzheimer’s disease patients; however, you should ensure the area keeps to Alzheimer’s safety guidelines. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may still be able to enjoy gardening with some supervision. Alzheimer’s patients who are prone to wandering will require greater safety precautions in order to ensure they do not leave the area.

Some tips to make sure your backyard is safe for seniors.

Secure the area: Make sure the yard cannot be accessed by others and that your loved one cannot leave the area on his or her own.

Watch out for water hazards: If there is a swimming pool, build a fence that’s appropriate. Keep the gates closed at all times. Fountains and fish ponds that are being used should also be fenced up properly to prevent seniors from accidentally falling into them.

Store Garden Tools and Chemical Safely: Store garden tools and chemicals such as pesticides, paint and other poisons out of reach. If there is a garden shed, store in the shed and keep it locked at all times.

Check the plants: Remove plants that have spiky ends, thorns or are poisonous if ingested.

Watch out for uneven sidewalks: When walking make sure the sidewalks or brick path is even, any unevenness can cause accidents.

Have a covered porch or shaded area: Exposure to constant sunlight may not be good for seniors. Make sure there is an area where they can sit comfortably that is cool or in a shaded area.

Keep water or beverage nearby: Dehydration in seniors is very common, make sure there is water nearby so that seniors can be hydrated. Drink first thing in the morning and 2 hours after meals.

Remember that making your home Alzheimer’s disease friendly will require a bit of ingenuity to work for every individual.

Some information provided by Gilbert Guide.

Everyone, especially individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, should plan for the future.  Legal planning should begin soon after a diagnosis is made and includes putting in place documents that:

• authorize another person to make healthcare and financial decisions
• include financial plans for long term-care coverage

If the person with Alzheimer’s has legal capacity the level of mental functioning necessary to sign official documents,  should actively participate in the legal planning process.  It is important to determine whether or not the person with Alzheimer’s is able to understand explanations of legal documents and the implications of signing them.

Talk with the person:  Find out if the person with Alzheimer’s understands what is being explained and asked of him.

Ask for medical advice if needed:  Consult a medical professional if there is a question as to whether or not the person with Alzheimer’s has legal capacity.

Take inventory of existing legal documents:  Check to see if living wills, trusts and powers of attorney were executed prior to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Commonly used documents in legal planning for individuals with Alzheimer’s include:

• Power of Attorney
• Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Living Will
• Living Trusts
• Will
• Guardianship/Conservatorship

Tips for legal planning

• Always name a successor or “back up” agent in the event that the primary agent becomes unable or unwilling to act.
• Consider a neutral thrid person as an agent under the power of attorney if immediate family members don’t get along.
• If there is no family member availble who has the time or expertise to manage the estate of the person with Alzheimer’s disease, consider having a bank manage the estate.
• Be sure that all designated individuals have a copy of the power of attorney and have access to the original document.
• Be sure physicians and other health care providers have a copy of the power of attorney for health care and a signed living will on file.
• Inquire whether or not the health care agent has authority to consent to brain autopsy.

Information provided by alzchi.org

I don’t know anyone that has Alzheimer’s but to see someone who is suffering from this disease is heartwrenching. It was an eye opener to watch Cynthia Mcfadden go through the 12 minute exercise. My heart goes out to the Seniors and to their family who are coping with this disease.  

Experiencing Dementia Firsthand

P.K. Beville, a geriatric psychologist and founder of the nonprofit senior citizen advocacy group Second Wind Dreams, is trying to remedy this problem. She created the Virtual Dementia Tour, an experiential kit used to simulate the symptoms of age-related Alzheimer’s and dementia and to help caregivers better identify and cope with their patients’ behaviors and needs. “Once you go through the exercise you find that most of the behavior patterns are actually coping strategies,” Beville said.

Cynthia McFadden of “Primetime” agreed to try out the Virtual Dementia Tour

Here’s how it works:

First the subject is fitted with gear that simulates the physical symptoms of age.

A pair of yellow-tinted goggles mimics the effects of eye diseases, like macular degeneration and glaucoma. The subject then places dried corn kernels in their shoes and gloves, creating painful sensations like those caused by peripheral nerve damage.

Finally, the subject’s fingers are taped together, making it difficult to grasp objects and utilize their hands, as though the subject is suffering from arthritis. Once the physical symptoms are manifested, the subject is ready to experience the cognitive effects of dementia, which can include memory loss, confusion, inability to concentrate, agitation and the inability to carry out simple tasks. To create this mental disorder, the subject listens to something called a “confusion tape” through headphones — a constant loop combining environmental noises, static fuzz, sporadic loud sirens and beeps. This cacophony helps induce a chaotic mental state, similar to what many dementia patients experience. Once the participants are all geared up, the experiment begins. Test administrators read a set of instructions to the participants, giving them five simple tasks to complete — set a table for four, brush your teeth, fold some laundry, etc. Even this is not as straightforward as it sounds: Test administrators intentionally read the instructions at the same volume as the “confusion tape,” so that it’s hard for subjects to even decipher what they are supposed to be doing.

McFadden was given a seemingly simple task — find a white sweater — but she said she couldn’t help being distracted by the incessant noises coming from her headphones. In order to stay focused, McFadden said, she had to start talking to herself. “Honestly, the thing that shocked me the most is that I couldn’t remember five simple instructions,” she said afterwards. “It changed my understanding of what people with dementia face every day. “I mean, I’m the queen of multi-tasking. I can do anything, I can do 20 things at once, I’m a mom, I’m a, it’s very humbling,” she said.

Impeded by limited motor skills, blurred vision, and the incessant buzz of distracting noises, participants, like McFadden, often exhibit behaviors that mirror those of Alzheimer’s patients, Beville said. They become frustrated with their inability to perform what they know are simple tasks, and unless they get help or guidance, they often resign in anger and defeat. The experiment has helped caregivers better understand the plight of their loved ones, a crucial weapon in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Beville said she has administered the Virtual Dementia Tour to more than 10,000 professional caregivers, and has identified specific ways of improving care for a person with Alzheimer’s. She said that offering positive reinforcement and encouragement is essential for any caregiver.

In several of her experiments Beville provided guidance by offering a pat on the back and saying, “You’re doing great.” By repeating this every four minutes, she found that the person remained calmer and was able to accomplish all of the tasks that were assigned.

By learning how to better cope with the effects of Alzheimer’s, caregivers and family members might feel more equipped to manage and treat a loved one who is diagnosed with the disease,” Beville said. “It is a way of giving people hope,” she said. And in the battle against Alzheimer’s, a little bit of hope can go a long way.

For more on this article go to www.abcnews.com

How MedicAlert & Safe Return Works

When a person with Dementia wanders or becomes lost, one call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver. When a person is found, a citizen or law official calls the toll free 24-hour emergency response number on the identification product and the individual’s family or caregivers are contacted.  The nearest Alzheimer’s Association office provides support during search and rescue efforts. In addition, should medical attention be required, access to a personal health record (PHR) is immediately available.

Benefits of MedicAlert + Safe Return Membership

• Provides you peace of mind
• Provides vital medical information to emergency responders
• Live 24-hour emergency response service for wandering and medical emergencies
• 24-hour family notification service
• 24-hour care consultation services provided by master’s level counselors   

 To enroll for this program or for more information on this article go to www.medicalert.org

Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s at home can be extremely difficult, especially if the patient is a wanderer. The tactics outlined below will help you curb dangerous wandering behaviors and prepare you in the event that your loved one wanders off and becomes lost.

• Make your home Alzheimer’s friendly so your loved one can wander safely indoors.
• Encourage safe wandering. Accompany your loved one on walks around the neighborhood. Fenced yards allow for safe walking as well.
• Camouflage exit doors by painting them the same color as the walls, including doorknobs. Create a further deterrent by using black electrical tape to depict a grid.
• Label internal doors with large-print signs or pictures that denote the room’s purpose. For example, put a picture of a toilet outside the bathroom door and a picture of a bed outside the bedroom door.
• Buy a bedside commode if nighttime wandering is triggered by the need to use the bathroom.
• Install an alarm system that is activated by the opening of external doors.

If your loved one becomes lost:

• Search and re-search your home (including closets and cupboards) and immediate neighborhood. Ask friends and neighbors to help.
• Have several recent photos of your loved one on hand to distribute to all parties assisting in your search.
• Have bedclothes or clothing ready to assist police in their search if they become involved.

Despite the many precautions taken by caregivers and families, people with Alzheimer’s are still at risk when they wander. The Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program is a government-funded program that works with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies to help mitigate the risks when an individual wanders and becomes lost. The program’s national database includes photos and information on each registered individual. In the event that the person is lost, Safe Return faxes that person’s photo to local law enforcement to help in the search and rescue effort. If medical attention is required, Safe Return will supply immediate access to the patient’s medical records, also stored in their database.

Article provided by www.gilbertguide.com