Senior Advice

Senior Advice
There are nearly 5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dementia is a brain disorder that is generally associated with memory loss. AD is the most common type of dementia in senior citizens over the age of 65. AD affects various parts of the brain, including the regions that control memory, thought, and language. There is no cure for AD. And although researchers continue to make great strives in our understanding of the disease, they still do not know the cause. Alzheimer's Disease causes loss of memory and mental functioning. It is non-reversible and progresses over a period of years. At first, symptoms may be confused as age-related changes in memory. As time goes on, the symptoms become more severe. Alzheimer's disease can cause a person to become disoriented and lead to personality changes. Cognitive abilities decline; as a result, language and other everyday skills can suffer.
Approximately five percent of senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 74 have AD. After age 74 the likelihood of developing the disorder drastically increases; by age 85 nearly fifty percent of senior citizens have AD. Though it is age-related, it is not a normal part of aging and symptoms should not be dismissed.
Scientists have not identified the cause of Alzheimer's Disease, however they have found some important influences. AD seems to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Some evidence that suggests that conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol may also be related to AD.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is important that senior citizens with memory loss seek medical assistance. Caregivers who notice memory problems in senior citizens more severe than occasional forgetfulness should schedule a doctor's appointment for the senior. Consulting a doctor can help determine the difference between normal declines in memory and more severe problems like AD.
Absolute diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease is impossible in living people; rather, doctors make "possible" diagnoses. This is because observing the presence of plaques and tangles in the brain (the physical indicators of AD) is the only way to diagnosis the disease with certainty, and this can only be done after a person dies.
Still, it is possible for doctors to diagnose AD with up to a 90 percent accuracy rate using general health questions, cognitive tests, medical tests, and brain scans. In some cases, these tests may uncover other causes for the Alzheimer's-like symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. However, there are some medications that help control certain symptoms like agitation, anxiety, and depression.