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Persons with Alzheimer’s disease may not realize the severity of their condition.  The doctors first assessment for Alzheimer’s disease should include a focused history, a physical examination, a functional status assessment, and a mental status assessment.  Your doctor will ask about past and current medical problems and whether other family members have had this ailment or another form of dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease affects two major types of abilities:.  When a person has this ailment, problems with complex tasks appear first and over time progress to more simple activities.  Delirium and depression may be mistaken for or occur with Alzheimer’s disease.  Gathering as much information as possible will help your doctor diagnose early this disease while the condition is mild.  Tests also can tell the difference between changes due to normal aging and those caused by this ailment.  When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease, you and your family members have serious issues to consider.  When tests do not indicate it, but your symptoms continue or worsen, check back with your doctor.  If you still have concerns, even though your doctor says you do not have this disease, you may want to get a second opinion. 

Recognizing Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages, when treatment may relieve mild symptoms, gives you time to adjust.  Ask your doctor for help in telling people who need to know that you have this ailment like members of your family, friends, and coworkers, for example.  Alzheimer’s disease is stressful for you and your family.  Learning that you have this ailment is very hard to deal with.  Many kinds of help are available for persons with this disease, their families, and caregivers.  Sometimes it helps to talk things over with other people and families who are coping with Alzheimer’s disease.  Families and friends of people with this ailment have formed support groups.  Time to plan can be a major benefit of identifying AD early.  Other AHCPR guidelines may be helpful to families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.  Many kinds of help are available for patients with this ailment, their families and caregivers.  The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease is an international multidisciplinary journal with a mission to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer’s disease.

 According to a recent survey, more people fear developing dementia – Alzheimer’s is the single biggest cause of senile dementia – in later life than any other disease.  Alois Alzheimer – is a neurodegenerative disease that now claims over 24 million sufferers worldwide, including an estimated 40,000 in Scotland.  The disease is caused by the increasing presence of ‘plaques’ in the brain, which cause ‘tangling’ of the nerve endings, leading to confusion, disorientation and loss of memory.  By the late period of the disease constant supervision is required, with patients becoming unable to meet even their most basic needs such as feeding and clothing themselves.  Studies have found that people who lead lonely lifestyles, and who neglect intellectual stimulation like reading, crosswords and chess, are far more likely to develop diseases like Alzheimer’s than those who remain mentally and socially active. 

Program to fund research and educate the public about Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 1 in 10 people over age 65.  There is no known way to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease, but meantime, a drug that is newly available in the US, can help stop its progression.  Information on this disease including nutrient, lifestyle, and medical options and precautions.  Frequently asked questions on prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; Menopause related memory loss.  Information for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease.  Devoted to remembering those who suffer from this debilitating disease, and a place where caregivers can remember the stories that make their loved one special.  A new analysis may help detect the earliest signs of cell damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease.  This ailment is the most common and important cause of senile dementia.  A review of Alzheimer’s disease with particular reference to Pin1 protein.  This ailment impairs the brain’s intellectual functions (memory, orientation, calculation), but at first, largely spares those parts of the brain that control sensation and movement. 

Study Finds Common Anesthetic may induce cell death and generation of disease-related protein.  Toxic protein build up can lead to disease.  Brain Receptor May Play Role in Alzheimer’s Defects in astrocyte formation could contribute to disease.  Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease shows visual images of the degeneration of brain tissue from normal individuals to first, second, and third stage Alzheimers patients.  Besides This ailment, some other types or causes of dementia include: alcoholic dementia, depression, delirium, HIV/AIDS-related dementia, Huntington’s disease (a disorder of the nervous system), inflammatory disease (for example, syphilis), vascular dementia(blood vessel disease in the brain), tumors, and Parkinson’s disease. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.  Delirium can occur in older persons who have short-term illnesses, heart or lung disease, long-term infections, poor nutrition, or hormone disorders.  In Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, problems with memory, judgment, and thought processes make it hard for a person to work and take part in day-to-day family and social life.  Of these individuals, as many as two-thirds have Alzheimer’s disease.  Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease at this time, it may be possible to relieve some of the symptoms, such as wandering and incontinence.  Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you think you or a family member may have signs of Alzheimer’s disease.  Research is under way to find better ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease.  The chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease increase with age. 

There are only two definite factors that increase the risk for this ailment:a family history of dementia and Down syndrome.  If Alzheimer’s disease has occurred in your family members, other members are more likely to develop it.  Persons with Down syndrome have a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease.  The classic sign of early Alzheimer’s disease is gradual loss of short-term memory.  Symptoms appear gradually in persons with Alzheimer’s disease but may progress more slowly in some persons than in others.  If you have some of these signs, this does not mean you have Alzheimer’s disease.  Just because you can’t recall where you put the car keys doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s disease.  Identifying mild cases of Alzheimer’s diseasecan be very difficult. 

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Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is one of the most difficult things you can do. It involves a lot of energy, time and patience. It can be very frustrating. People with Alzheimer’s may refuse help from caregivers. This is a sign that they are actually trying to communicate with you. Refusal to accept care is a sign that something is missing or not right. It’s up to the caregiver to assess the situation.

If your loved one refuses to take her bath or shower, this might be a clue that something is bothering her. It may be embarrassment. Remember that your loved one used to do all these things alone before she had Alzheimer’s and now she has to depend on another person. It is very frustrating. You may have to limit bath time. Approach the situation one step at a time in a non-threatening manner. While you help your loved one undress, use a smooth calming voice. As you bathe her, you can talk about old memories you used to share. It will make the process more enjoyable and pleasant for both of you.

If this does not work and your loved one still resists your help, then you might need try again later. When people with Alzheimer’s do not like to bathe, it often stems from fear. Make sure the lighting in the bathroom is adequate for your loved one to see. If she cannot see well, her fear will increase. Let the shower or bath run for a while to warm up the room. It will make it more comfortable. No one likes to undress in a cold room. If your loved one is using a shower, you might want to put a chair in it so she can sit down. You can purchase one of those at a medical supply store or drug store. Use a hand held shower head. This will take the water up to her level and will be less threatening.

Music is a good way to help as well. It can be good therapy. Studies have shown that some Alzheimer’s patients react very well to music. They may feel less stress. Music can decrease emotions of agitation or aggressive behavior. You can play soft music; add some fragrance in the bathroom. It will make it more inviting. You can try to use the same rituals your loved one used before when taking a bath or a shower. Routine is extremely important for persons with Alzheimer’s.

If you feel there is still tension and resistance, you can always choose another option. You can hire some professional help just for the bathing time. If you decide to get someone to help you, make sure that person has experience with Alzheimer’s disease and knows how to handle patients with dementia. You can hire someone on your own or go through an agency. They have qualified people and will be able to assist you in this situation. Sometimes, the individual with dementia will respond better to a third party rather than a family member. Put yourself in her shoes, it can be really embarrassing having someone from your family bathe you. A disinterested, but gentle, third party may help greatly.

The main thing is to handle bath time in a loving manner. Your loved one will appreciate it and it will lower her stress level, as well as yours.
William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website atww.BeatAlzheimers.com

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