Mesocyclone asked:

Why is Alzheimers disease becoming more and more common and projected to affect more than a 200% increase of todays cases by mid-century? I think that alzheimers isn’t a real disease, I think that it has just been given to much power by all the people that worry about it. Why else is it increasing at such a huge rate and what other reason is there for the rates of Alzheimers to increase with the more reasearch done on it and the more media coverage on it.
Also, why is it happening to people at younger ages?

pebbles asked:

I’m wondering what your views are on dementia/alzheimer’s patients being able to vote? Should they be allowed to vote? I know, my mother in law has dementia. She can’t pick out a matching outfit, but she expects to be able to vote. I asked her who she wanted for president and she said McCain. I asked her why and she said because he was in a war. I asked her opinion on some of McCain’s issues and she couldn’t answer. Are there already laws on this or is it a personal opinion?
Thanks everyone!

Planning an activity for an Alzheimer’s patient (or patients) can be difficult. You have to keep in mind that because of their condition, it can be difficult for them to perform tasks that you would find simple. However, Alzheimer’s statistics have found that, by having patients participate in activities, you can actually slow the progress of the disease in the brain because you are encouraging positive thinking and happiness within the mind of the patient. Assuming you are a caregiver, this article on Alzheimer’s is intended to show you some things you can do to make life easier for the person you are caring for.

A Simple Activity is Always Best

Though the cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, the effects are very apparent. Alzheimer’s is a mental disease, not a physical disease, meaning that patients are physically capable of performing activities. Additionally, Alzheimer’s patients retain a childlike intelligence, meaning that they are capable of performing tasks that children can perform.

Caregivers should try to find out what the patient likes to do and design activities around their interests. For example, if the patient you are caring for enjoyed cooking before the disease set in, you should let them cut cookies with you, or make simple dishes (such as made-from-a-box cakes or salads). If your patient enjoyed gardening, let them weed or spade a garden. Perhaps you should let them play with toys or games, like building Lego’s or playing bingo.

It is important to keep in mind that a patient probably won’t want to stay on a task for a very long period of time, but you should constantly encourage your patient, as they need that positive reinforcement to make their lives seem more full. You do not want your patient thinking that they are a burden because it will only encourage the disease to progress more quickly.

Other Things to Keep in Mind as an Alzheimers Caregiver

Always make sure that your patient is taking their medication; this cannot be stressed enough. Each day, the disease will get worse and worse if proper care is not given. Additionally, you should research a good Alzheimer’s diet. The Alzheimer’s foundation has found that a diet consisting of low fat and low cholesterol meals slows the progress of this disease and, for those who do not have Alzheimer’s, this type of dietary habit can aid in preventing Alzheimer’s.

Also, consider supplements such as turmeric or glyconutrients. Both of these supplements have been statistically found to aid in the slowing of Alzheimer’s, which is always a positive benefit. Finally, make sure that your patient is receiving proper amounts of nutrition, as they are not always capable of performing this task on their own.

Being a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient can be a very exhausting task, I understand that. However, if you take on this responsibility, you must make sure that you are doing everything you can for them. If you follow the advice listed in this article, you will be a good caretaker.

By: Mike Jerry

About the Author:

Still Alice
by Lisa Genova
Amazon Price: $10.20
Customer Review: Alice is a Harvard professor, published author, and nationally respected expert in her field of study. Early-onset Alzheimer's disease nails her in mid-career and is especially devastating to her self-esteem because so much of her identity is wrapped...

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, ...
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins
Amazon Price: $12.20
Customer Review: This book is invaluable for those dealing with loved ones with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. Well-defined chapters and table of contents allow the reader to find exactly what he/she needs. The advice is straight-forward and practical.

Jan's Story: Love lost to the long goodbye of Alzheimer's
by Barry Petersen
Amazon Price: $10.85
Customer Review: Jan Petersen was a vivacious attractive woman who had worked as a television journalist. But in her mid-fifties, she was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzeimer's.

This loving memoir, written by her television correspondent husband, follows ...

KYF2001 asked:

Alzheimers Experiment

frank s asked:

NOT ANY MORE! Now they’re telling us it only delays the disease. It does not prevent it.Should we believe ANYTHING they tell us anymore?

Dementia is a slowly progressive brain disorder characterized by the loss of ability to think, reason and remember. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable. In some cases, although the person may appear to have dementia, a severe depression can be causing the symptoms.

Examples of this include dementia caused by drugs or alcohol, or hormone or vitamin imbalances. Because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis, so as not to miss potentially treatable conditions. The frequency of “treatable” causes of dementia is believed to be about 10%.

Causes of Dementia

The common Causes of Dementia:

Nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.

Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use.

Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can result from developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors.

Kidney, liver, and lung diseases can all lead to dementia.

Either a single severe head injury or longer term smaller injuries, like in boxers.

Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cellsin the brain such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.

Symptoms of Dementia

Some Symptoms of Dementia:

Confusion, severe

Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment capability

Progressive memory loss

Hallucinations and delusions

Altered sensation or perception

Inability to concentrate

Lack of spontaneity

Depression

Treatment of Dementia

Dementia Treatment of people with progressive dementia aims to provide the best possible quality of life for them and their carers.

Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease , Pick’s disease, dementia of aging and traumatic injuries to the brain are usually not amenable to treatment.

Anti-convulsants may be effective in treating some behavioural disturbances.

Dementia generally gets worse with age but the development of symptoms can often be slowed with drugs or other treatments.

Treatment of dementia usually aims to improve memory and concentration, reduce psychiatric problems, and to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family and carers.

Anti-psychotic drugs may be prescribed for patients suffering from delusions or hallucinations.

By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

Still Alice
by Lisa Genova
Amazon Price: $10.20
Customer Review: Alice is a Harvard professor, published author, and nationally respected expert in her field of study. Early-onset Alzheimer's disease nails her in mid-career and is especially devastating to her self-esteem because so much of her identity is wrapped...

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, ...
by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins
Amazon Price: $12.20
Customer Review: This book is invaluable for those dealing with loved ones with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. Well-defined chapters and table of contents allow the reader to find exactly what he/she needs. The advice is straight-forward and practical.

Jan's Story: Love lost to the long goodbye of Alzheimer's
by Barry Petersen
Amazon Price: $10.85
Customer Review: Jan Petersen was a vivacious attractive woman who had worked as a television journalist. But in her mid-fifties, she was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzeimer's.

This loving memoir, written by her television correspondent husband, follows ...