Alzheimers Disease Essay 6

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and is predominant in the elderly.
A lot is unknown about the disease, but today, enough is known to help those diagnosed. Organizations
like the Alzheimer’s association are helpful to educate people diagnosed and their loved ones.
What is Alzheimer’s? “A degenerative brain disease of unknown cause that is the most
common form of dementia, that usually starts in late middle age or in old age, which results in memory
loss, impaired thinking, disorientation and changes in personality and mood “ [ (Dictionary.com) ].
Although not much is known about the disease, they know few facts. There is no cure for
Alzheimer’s and it can be a little depressing seeing people that have been diagnosed with the disease.
Often, they are very confused. It’s almost as if they are aging backwards. They often reminisce their
childhood, and remember past things. Sometimes, they even forget major events that happened
throughout their childhood.
To the diagnosed, everything is completely normal. In fact, conversation on the disease may
upset them. Often, it is harder for families and loved ones to accept the reality of the satiation. Thus the
reason there are support groups and organizations in place to help the families through the process.
Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, AA, not only help the family get through the process,
they also help to educate both families and caregivers on how to relate and how to help their loved one
through the disease.
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. Usually, it is not the long term
memory that is lost, it is the recently learned information that they cannot retain. Things like names are
common to be forgotten, but familiar things like recipes bring forgotten is the first sign.
Often, this is where places such as Assisted Living Facilities, ALF’s, come in handy. Alzheimer’s
patients usually have a hard time performing... [continues]

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