UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and a progressive, irreversible disease characterized by the gradual onset of symptoms that evolve over time:
Memory loss
Changes in character and behavior
Problems with language
Loss of sense of direction
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It involves gradual loss of memory and other cognitive abilities that have an impact on the everyday life of the person affected by it.
Alzheimer’s disease is not an inevitable part of aging; although it is generally diagnosed in people over 65 years old, more and more cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are being detected.
One of its peculiarities is that, even today, its causes are unknown, which is why research is absolutely essential.
This disease was described for the very first time in 1906 by the German psychiatrist and neurologist Alois Alzheimer, which is why it was named after him.
Alzheimer’s disease in figures
people with Alzheimer’s disease in the world
cases by 2050
people with Alzheimer’s disease in Catalonia
Dr. Boada talks to us about Alzheimer’s disease
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TIPS
With Ace, you’ll get the support you need
For the caregiver
It is important for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s to recognize when they need help, as this makes them more effective. Feelings of exhaustion are common and predictable, and they are normal reactions that require support. These signs should not be hidden out of fear or reluctance to admit personal limits.
Nutrition and aging
Aging involves a series of physical and biological changes in people which, combined with the cognitive impairment characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, lead to a range of eating behavior disorders in affected individuals.
Aggressive reactions
A person with dementia may perceive a threat or danger where none exists and react aggressively in situations that are harmless to people without this condition. These aggressive reactions are challenging and difficult to manage for the primary caregiver as well as for family members, as they often appear incomprehensible.
Accident prevention
Some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as mental confusion and memory loss, require adapting the environment in which a person with dementia lives in order to prevent accidents that could affect them or others.
Acute confusional syndrome
Acute confusional syndrome (ACS), also known as “delirium,” is a disturbance of mental status characterized by an acute and reversible onset. Delirium is one of the most significant cognitive disorders in older adults.
Communication
Communicating with a person with Alzheimer’s disease involves adapting our language and our verbal and body expression so that we can communicate effectively.
Hygiene and dressing
In the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, it is common for the patient to be uncooperative and require assistance with activities of daily living, such as hygiene, dressing, mobility, and eating.
Incontinence
Incontinence, defined as the loss of bladder and/or bowel control, is a common problem among people with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, especially in the later stages of the condition.
Promoting sleep
Sleep problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease can be a major source of stress and fatigue for the person caring for the patient. Helping the person go to bed and remain there may require some prior planning.
Pressure ulcers
Pressure ulcers are skin lesions with varying degrees of tissue damage, ranging from minor erosions to deeper wounds that may affect muscle and bone. Most pressure ulcers can be prevented.
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