Alzheimer’s Disease: A progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain.

Alois Alzheimer was a German neuropathologist and psychiatrist in the early 1900s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease

In 1906, Alzheimer identified an “unusual disease of the cerebral cortex” which affected a woman in her fifties that caused memory loss, disorientation, hallucinations and ultimately her death at only age 55. http://www.alz.co.uk/alois-alzheimer http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/300/3/333/F1.medium.jpg

The autopsy done of the woman showed various abnormalities of the brain. The cerebral cortex was thinner than normal, previously only encountered in elderly people. http://artcritical.com/DavidCohen/sun_images_march/hirst-brain.jpg http://www.alz.co.uk/alois-alzheimer

Alzheimer was able to identify these nerve tangles which had never previously been described. He then named the discovery after himself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHwzz1-kWXE

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by a loss of neurons and synapses mainly in the cerebral cortex. Studies using MRI’s on Alzheimer’s patients show the reduction of the size of certain brain regions as they progress from mild to severe Alzheimer’s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease#Neuropathology

Alzheimer’s is a form of Dementia Dementia and Alzheimer’s effect the brain in similar ways. The main difference is that Dementia is caused by other diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, or Multiple Sclerosis, whereas Alzheimer’s seems to have no found cause. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001748/

Even though memory loss is common in the aging process, Alzheimer’s can be characterized by extreme memory loss that disrupts one’s daily life. http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/ElderlyWoman.jpg

The biggest difference between aging naturally and Alzheimer’s, is the progressive speed at which a patient loses their memory. They’ll begin to forget what they did earlier in the day, or even an hour before. Eventually they may forget their own name, or who their family members are. http://alzheimers.about.com/od/diagnosisissues/a/memory_elderly.htm http://www.oumedicine.com/images/College%20of%20Medicine/AD-Pathology/alz-prev.gif

Every Alzheimer’s case progresses at a different rate, sometimes over the course of more than 20 years. Most commonly though, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, older memories of one’s life (episodic memory) are still intact, whereas newer memories are harder to recall. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ00028 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hlsidllN8P0/TROq3D5tGvI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/wlkT98qoI1o/s1600/Childhood_Memories_angelslover_com_26.jpg

Although Alzheimer’s is thought of as a disease of the elderly, there are many cases where patients are diagnosed as early as their 40s. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ00028 http://www.digitalkinetics.org/Travel/Journal/P1060356/1111581261_iYfZE-XL-1.jpg

http://www.alz.org/northcentraltexas/in_my_community_early_stage_support_groups.asp An interview done by NPR talks to someone by the name of Teresa Lambert. A woman who, in her 40s, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106299147

She first noticed she had a problem when she put her dirty clothes in the freezer to wash them because they were both “big and white” and she couldn’t remember the difference between the two appliances. http://gadgets.softpedia.com/images/news/History-of-the-Washing-Machine-2.jpg http://salestores.com/stores/images/images_747/GLHS35EHW.jpg http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106299147

When Lambert lost her job due to her illness, she lost the health insurance that came with it. Since doctors still hadn’t figured out what was wrong with her, she paid for the medical tests out of her own pocket. "Let's see: The MRI was over about $3,500. Just the reading of it was almost a thousand," she says. "Blood work ran about $600." She's been paying off those bills $10 and $20 at a time. http://www.clipart.connerventures.com/images/bg093.jpg http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106299147

Now 54, Teresa Lambert heads to Washington about 3 times a year to tell members of Congress how difficult it is for people with early onset Alzheimer’s to get health insurance. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106299147 http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/us-congress-building.jpg

http://www.alz.org/national/documents/Preexisting_Condition_Insurance_Plans.pdf Most Alzheimer’s patient’s struggle without insurance no matter how old they are. http://www.alzinfo.org/08/treatment-care/long-term-care-insurance%20%E2%80%8E

The moderate stage of Alzheimer’s is characterized by the deterioration of independence. Relying more on their caregiver in this stage, they will wander aimlessly, have erratic mood swings, speech difficulties from a minimized vocabulary, loss of reading and writing skills, and less coordination which leads to more injures. More often than not, these full-time caregivers are family members. http://alzheimers.about.com/od/diagnosisissues/a/memory_elderly.htm http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=caregiver&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1309&bih=772 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1BkfV2h09g

This is a picture of my Grandfather shortly after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He would stare out the window for hours wondering why he couldn’t remember how to ride his tractor, or take care of his garden.

“It’s very lonely. I can’t even have a conversation with him at the dinner table anymore. That’s the hardest part for me.” - Grandma

http://losangeles. cbslocal http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/04/10/elderly-man-with-alzheimers-reported-missing-in-west-covina/“ “I can’t leave him alone because he’ll wander off or forget to eat, and I can’t take him anywhere because he gets very agitated, so I’m stuck. I rarely get a break.” - Grandma

More often than not, caregivers feel overwhelmed and under prepared. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78U Q-GT3VKw&feature=relmfu

A person who has Alzheimer's may react with frustration, agitation and even aggression towards the caregiver when once-automatic tasks become difficult or impossible. To limit challenges and ease frustration: Schedule wisely. Establish a routine to make each day more predictable and less confusing. Schedule the most difficult tasks, such as bathing or medical appointments, for the time of day when your loved one tends to be most calm and agreeable. . Take your time. Expect things to take longer than they used to. Schedule more time to complete even simple tasks so that you don't need to hurry your loved one. . Involve your loved one. Allow your loved one to do as much as possible with the least amount of assistance. For example, perhaps your loved one can dress alone if you lay out the clothes in the order they go on. . Limit choices. The fewer the options, the easier it is to decide. For example, provide two outfits to choose between — not a closet full of clothes. . Provide simple instructions. When you ask your loved one to do something, do it one step at a time. . Reduce distractions. Turn off the TV and minimize other distractions at mealtime and during conversations so that your loved one can better focus on the task at hand. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-caregiver/HO00125

Since a caregiver rarely has any medical training, some precautions to take are: Medical ID bracelets in case your loved one were to wonder off and get lost http://www.americanmedical-id.com/

Childproofing the Home One of the best Alzheimer's safety precautions for the home is to childproof as many doors, cabinets, appliances and other items as possible. It might even be necessary to remove potentially dangerous objects and appliances that cannot be safely contained. http://indytotalconstruction.com/wp-content/myuploads/2010/04/child-proof.jpg http://www.myseniorcare.com/alzheimers/living-managing/alzheimers-safety-precautions-for-the-home-article

Failing eyesight can create a serious problem in people with Alzheimer’s. One of the most important safety precautions for the home is to have adequate lighting. This will help the patient to navigate otherwise dark rooms and hallways without danger of falling. Let There Be Light http://www.myseniorcare.com/alzheimers/living-managing/alzheimers-safety-precautions-for-the-home-article http://www.cabinfevermd.com/html/ebaypics/smOldManSunshine.jpg

Think like a parent: Keep cleaning solutions out of reach, monitor use of electronics, secure medication in a locked cabinet, and keep weapons and alcohol locked away. http://www.myseniorcare.com/alzheimers/living-managing/alzheimers-safety-precautions-for-the-home-article http://bipr.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/parent_child_a.jpg

The family members for Alzheimer’s patients, as well as the patients themselves, should be receiving a better form of benefits. This should include a provided caregiver on a weekly basis to relieve the regular caregiver from their duties.

There are few insurance options for someone that is already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Kp1mDeqNHlE/St8FAHI9X9I/AAAAAAAAAbM/C_P4BFrn0hw/s400/Health-Insurance-Cartoons-Pre-Existing-Conditions.jpg

One option is Long-Term Care Insurance. This type of insurance is available from most private insurance providers. It is recommended that you have an attorney review the plan before you purchase to ensure that it’s actually covering what you need. This tends to be the problem with most insurance policies. http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/a/attorney_at_law-13203.jpg http://www.alzinfo.org/08/treatment-care/long-term-care-insurance%20%E2%80%8E

The most common option is Government Assistance From Medicaid, to Medicare, to Disability Income, none of these options provide for the caregivers. For caregivers who still have to work, there is not much they can do other than put their loved one in an elderly care home, which can be extremely hard on both people. http://alzheimers.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/Using-Government-Assistance-to-Help-Pay-for-Alzheimers-Care.htm http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WvhWeRpxk1M/TB_WrTXoYHI/AAAAAAAAFLM/92WaJtvFjwQ/s1600/wheelchait.jpg

During the most advanced stage of Alzheimer’s, the patient will not be able to perform even the simplest of tasks without the caregiver. They will be bedridden to due loss of muscle mass and will lose the ability to speak, as well as feed themselves. Being more susceptible to infection from the last stages of this disease, death from Alzheimer’s is usually caused by an infection such as pneumonia. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/stages.htm http://senshot.com/files/2011/02/Graveyard.jpg

There is very limited information known about the cause for Alzheimer’s disease. Due to this fact, there is little one can do to prevent it. Even though some medications have been proven to reduce an Alzheimer’s patient’s symptoms, they do not work for everyone suffering from the disease. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease.asp http://123treatment.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/medication.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRgCc7-bGPo There are new experimental drugs recently that have promising effects, yet the long term results are yet to be seen.

Some medical breakthroughs include: http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn18385/dn18385-1_300.jpg Many neurological diseases involve the death of neurons in the brain. A recent discovery made in 2010, showed a new way of counting dying eye cells that could allow Alzheimer’s disease to be diagnosed and treated in its early stages. However, these cell deaths tend to be located at the back of the eye, which makes them much more difficult to detect. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18385-early-signs-of-alzheimers-are-in-the-eye.html

Alzheimer’s through the eyes of a caregiver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4s rQUrV_6Q