Alzheimers - The Facts

Someone in your family has Alzheimers disease, and you've been gathering info on Alzheimers disease to try to help you make decisions about what to do next, but everything you find is so scientific and complicated. What can you tell your kids to make them understand why their grandfather or uncle doesn't recognize them anymore? The info on Alzheimers disease below is aimed at children and families, so read it together.

Alzheimers: What Is It?

Alzheimers disease is a form of a mental disorder known as "dementia". Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brain's ability to process rational or normal thought and inhibits the daily activities of its sufferers because of this. Alzheimers disease, therefore, affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language.

Alzheimers disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. The German physician Alois Alzheimer first identified this disorder in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.

Alzheimers disease robs millions of people each year of their memories, their personalities, and the ability to complete daily activities. For the longest time, it was believed that nothing could be done to prevent this awful disease; that it was simply something that people had to look forward to when they reached their golden years. However, new research indicates that there is a number of ways to prevent Alzheimers disease.

The hallmark sign of Alzheimers disease is the loss of memory. Generally, those 65 years of age or older, begin to concern themselves with this disease at the first episodes of forgetfulness. Although forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimers disease, it is important to note that there are other signals that may herald the onset of this malady. Therefore, being knowledgeable about Alzheimers, through exhibited signs, and is paramount for our loved one's health as well as our own.

Dealing With Alzheimers

Hearing the news that a family member has received an Alzheimers diagnosis can be an emotionally devastating moment in anyone's life. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. There is no single test existing that will categorically give the Alzheimers diagnosis.

With this proactive stance, diagnosticians have been able to devise a set of Alzheimers disease testing tools that can detect symptoms of Alzheimers disease in its earlier stages. As of yet, there is no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimers disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90 percent accuracy. Alzheimers disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.

An Alzheimers test is important to ensure that the person isn't just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimers test isn't necessary. Alzheimers disease doesn't just affect a person's memory; it can make people see things that aren't there, and even send them into screaming fits.

If you think a loved one is starting to become senile or experience other symptoms of dementia, you may want that person to undergo Alzheimers testing. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test for Alzheimers disease that a person can undergo. The only way doctors diagnose Alzheimers with 100% certainty is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away. Rather than Alzheimers testing, what you want to look for is some type of psychological and behavioral screening coupled with extensive tests to rule out other types of dementia.

Living With Alzheimers

Living with Alzheimers can be a crippling experience for both the disease sufferer and the family that is involved. There are many moments of misunderstanding or confusion for most and the symptoms can become frustrating and difficult. The loss of memory and other associated factors can often cause immense separation in families and can create a nervous tension on relationships that is not necessary if suitable information is available and utilized by all parties involved.

Finding in-house Alzheimers help should not be an emotionally laden issue for the entire family. Tackling this need in an organized way, from evaluating to planning, is the key to making in-house Alzheimers help feasible. First, you should sit down and evaluate the needs of the family caregiver and the patient. From there, creating a job list and a set of guidelines becomes easy to make and follow.

Caring for someone with Alzheimers can be a daunting task. You will need all of the support you can get, along with the latest and most significant Alzheimers info and research. It is a confusing time, and the more you know, the more confident you will feel in your ability to give your loved one the best possible care and support. It is also important to build a support network that will help you to avoid the common problems associated with caretaker burnout.

David McFarlane is a proud contributing author and writes articles on alzheimers. You can visit David?s site at http://www.alzheimers-world.com

Tips on Wandering Alzheimer's Patients

It is suggested that nearly 70% of people with Alzheimer's disease will wander away from home and get lost. Wandering is one of the biggest risks for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and is a common but dangerous symptom of the disease. A wanderer is someone with a disease such as Alzheimer's who has wandered away on their own free-will from their caregiver. The risk is evident in the 31,000 Alzheimer's patients who researcher Robert J. Koester estimates wanders per year. When someone with Alzheimer's disease wanders, he or she is disorientated and unable to judge potentially dangerous places and situations. People suffering from severe Alzheimer's disease are more at risk and the incidence of wandering increases.

Alzheimer's patients may suddenly walk off and become lost, frightened or confused. Generally if a patient is found within 24 hours they are returned safely, but after a longer time span the survival rate drops to nearly 50 percent, according to recent studies. It is evident that wandering behavior can be a life threatening incident.

Koester's research provides more insight into wandering in Alzheimer's patients. Those with Alzheimer's disease leave their own residence or nursing home and usually start to wander along roads. Eighty-nine percent of wandering patients are usually found within one mile from the point last seen. If the patient is not wandering along the road (14%), they are usually in a creek or drainage (28%), or caught in bushes or shrubberies (33%). But, the Alzheimer's patient is frequently found wandering a short distance from a road. Unfortunately there are some wanderers who eventually give in to the environment and develop hypothermia or dehydration (35%), or are found deceased (19%).

It is important for you to know that you can help prevent incidents of wandering even though you cannot always guarantee total prevention. If you are aware of the causes of wandering you can minimize the risks of someone with Alzheimer's disease becoming lost. Although wandering remains a risk, there are several things that you can do to help prevent wandering in an assisted living center, long term care facility or at home to ensure that the family's loved one remains safe.

1. Install locks on doors- That is the first place to prevent a wanderer from leaving. However, in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's disease it is more likely for a patient to wander because they usually still remember how to unlock the current locks. Placing hook and eye latches on the outside screen door is proven to be very effective, especially if placed either very high or low on the door. Another method is to place a double key lock on the inside door, but be aware that the patient may begin to panic if they cannot open the door from the inside.

2. Install locks on windows- In general, most people would not consider exiting a building though a window, but an Alzheimer's patient who feels the need to escape would consider. Even windows on the upper levels of a house or facility should be secured. If there are windows that open by sliding side to side, consider placing a piece of wood on the track to keep the window from fully opening. Windows that slide up and down can be protected by putting a nail or screw in the tack to prevent it from completely opening also. If the window uses a crank, consider removing the crank each time after using it to open or close the window, and then hide the crack in an undisclosed place.

3. Build fences and gates- A fence is not as restrictive and offers patients an alternative place to go in relative safety. Chain link fences should be avoided because elderly patients still have the capability of climbing them rather easily. Also, stay away from building a fence with brace beams facing into the secured area because the support beams can provide a foothold for climbing over the fence. In general, a farm fence with square openings too small to be used as footholds is a very good option. Don't forget that it is important that the fence is at least six feet tall so a patient will not try to physically pull themselves over it.

4. Use emergency IDs- Even with safeguards and precautions, patients still could break free. You can make sure that a label with the elderly patient's name and phone number is worn on their clothing at all times. This is important because you can never depend on the patient to carry their ID when they wander, but it is vital that the wanderer can be identified immediately and returned quickly if they go astray.

5. A Patient Wanderer Security System- Accutech's Wanderer Security System (www.Accutech-ICS.com) can provide an assisted living or long term care facility with the security solution needed to monitor and care for their Alzheimer's patients and to help prevent wandering. By use of a Cut Band system, a gentle band and tag is placed around the patient's wrist. Then staff is able to be notified if the band is tampered with or removed and if the patient leaves the room or facility. Such systems are a great way for facilities to help prevent an Alzheimer's patient from wandering.

6. Dress patients in bright colored clothing- It is known that bright and distinct clothing can be spotted from a distance. Dressing in clothing that is easily spotted in a crowd is helpful when taking a patient out of the home or facility and to a public area. It is very easy for an individual with Alzheimer's disease to become separated especially when there is a crowd. It can happen within seconds.

7. Keep all keys in an undisclosed place and out of reach- An individual with Alzheimer's disease may still be able to recognize a key and understand how it is used. A patient that gets a hold of a car key or is able to let themselves out of the home or facility can be gone for miles before being noticed. This does happen and it happens more often than thought.

8. Never leave an Alzheimer's patient alone in the car- According to several surveys each year the number of times an elderly patient is left in the car while the caregiver runs quickly into the store, bank, etc. has significantly increased. Even though you might only think you will be gone for only a few minutes, the Alzheimer's patient is often left in the car for more than15 minutes. You must remember that it only takes seconds for a frightened or panicked individual with Alzheimer's disease to get out of the car and quickly wander away.

9. Avoid leaving an Alzheimer's patient home alone- Determining when an individual with Alzheimer's disease is no longer to be left at home alone for short periods of time can be difficult. This makes it very challenging for someone who is the sole caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Still, there are several ways to find assistance. One, alert neighbors to keep an eye out for the wandering patient or have a neighbor visit when you are going to be gone for more than a few minutes. Two, use the idea of a babysitter and have a young adult stay with and care for the elderly patient while you are gone. Three, ask for help. Churches, high schools, Boy/Girl Scouts, community centers, senior citizen centers, local Alzheimer's Association chapters and any other group you can uncover could be willing to assist you in caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.

10. Find other useful materials to help- You often have to be creative to keep an individual with Alzheimer's disease safe by using house hold items. For instance, baby monitors or motion detectors that turn on lamps or radios to alert if a patient is moving around or trying to leave are both items that are either easily found at home or at a store. Another idea is to look through a child safety center for more items to help keep track of an Alzheimer's patient. For example, the elastic bands mother's attach to their wrist and their child's wrist can be a great help when taking an elderly patient into a crowded area. Also, hanging bells on a door can also be a useful alarm.

The risk of wandering in individuals with Alzheimer's disease is very great. You can take precautions to keep patients safe, but even the best caregiver or nurse will have experiences with wandering patients. Take reasonable precautions, don't panic and enlist others to help you care for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Adapted from New Research & Perspectives By Robert J. Koester M.S. Virginia Department of Emergency Management Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference,

Karen Cinpinski is the Marketing Associate at Accutech-ICS (Innovative Control Systems) headquartered in Franklin, Wisconsin. Karen has been vital to the marketing and development of the Accutech product line. Accutech-ICS is a market leader in RFID security systems for infant, pediatric, and long-term care facilities and maintains a strong role in RFID asset tracking solutions. Visit Accutech on the web for more information!

Finding The Right Alzheimer's Care Facility For Your Loved One

No one likes to think that they will put their loved one in a nursing home one day. Unfortunately, most Alzheimer's patients eventually will need to be placed in an Alzheimer's care facility. Because Alzheimer's disease robs a person of his or her ability to handle everyday activities, often families will find they cannot care for their loved one at home. It is usually during the later stages of the disease when patients lose their ability to handle dress themselves, feed themselves and need help going to the bathroom that an Alzheimer's care facility is considered by families.

Once your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you should begin planning their move into an Alzheimer's care facility. There are several things to know when looking at an Alzheimer's care facility. You should know how they care for Alzheimer's patients and how much experience they have had in dealing with patients suffering from the disease. Do they separate Alzheimer's patients from the rest of the population?

Some Alzheimer's care facilities specialize in treating Alzheimer's patients. What are the advantages of this type of Alzheimer's care facility over a more traditional nursing home or assisted living facility?

You should anticipate how you will pay for the Alzheimer's care facility. Some long-term insurance polices will cover a stay in an Alzheimer's care facility. Some private insurance companies may cover this expense as well. Many people have set aside funds should they need long-term care and that money is available for the family's to pay for the Alzheimer's care facility.

There are several types of Alzheimer's care facilities. You and your loved one's physician can discuss which Alzheimer's care facility will best suit the needs of the Alzheimer's patient.

Assisted living facilities provide housing, meals, health care and support for Alzheimer's patients. This type of Alzheimer's care facility is also called board and care, adult living and supported care. Many Alzheimer's patients live in this type of Alzheimer's care facility after moving out of their home. This type of Alzheimer's care facility is often a suitable alternative to a nursing home for Alzheimer's patients who can still perform some day to day activities. An assisted living facility is not regulated by the federal government.

Nursing homes are the most well-known type of Alzheimer's care facility. Nursing home patients require constant care and supervision. Nutrition, recreation, medical care and spirituality are handled at this type of Alzheimer's care facility. Nursing homes are regulated by the federal government and may also be subject to state licenses as well.

Some patients want an Alzheimer's care facility that is targeted to their needs. An Alzheimer's special care unit may be found in a nursing home or hospital setting where Alzheimer's patients live within a unit. Treatment at these Alzheimer's care facilities focuses on the needs of Alzheimer's patients.

If you are unsure as to what kind of Alzheimer's care facility your loved one needs, the Alzheimer's Association has an online guide. CareFinder helps families chose the best Alzheimer's care facility. CareFinder teaches families how to seek local support. It also guides families as to how to pay for the Alzheimer's care facility.

For more information on Alzheimers, try visiting http://www.helpwithalzheimers.com - a website that specializes in providing Alzheimers related tips, advice and resources to include information on Alzheimers care facility.

New Hope for Alzheimer's Treatment

There is now widespread agreement among research scientists and medical professionals that Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a problem quickly growing to vast proportions. As the life expectancy of Americans continues to rise, increasing the percentage of the population over 65 years of age, so does the number of Alzheimer's cases.

It is currently estimated that people over 65 years of age have a 10% chance of developing Alzheimer's, while those over 85 have a 50% likelihood of developing AD, making it the leading cause of dementia among older people. Though the disease is associated primarily with memory loss, its effects also comprise a number of other severe disabilities, including changes in personality, disorientation, difficulty with speech and comprehension, and a lack of ability to move normally.

Consequently, most Alzheimer's patients require a great deal of care, costing society close to $100 billion annually. According to Christian Fritze, Ph.D., Director of the Antibody Products Division at Covance Research Products, "The impact of Alzheimer's Disease on our society will only increase as our population ages. The prevalence of the disease and disabling effects on the patient are significant by themselves. In addition we are becoming increasingly aware of the far-reaching effects on families, care-giver networks and the economics of our health care system. The drive for progress towards effective treatments by the research and drug development community is growing stronger every day."

A New Consensus

But recent developments in the medical research community do provide some hope. During the last two years, there has been a growing consensus among Alzheimer researchers about the cause of Alzheimer's disease, providing focus for scientists exploring the new treatment options.

The focus is on amyloid beta oligomers, a new wrinkle on an older hypothesis called the "amyloid cascade hypothesis". Widespread acceptance of this new conclusion is something of a milestone in the history of Alzheimer's research. As Dr. Fritze says, "The decades old quest for the causative agent in Alzheimer's Disease has recently focused on the precursors of amyloid plaques. These precursors are part of a bewildering array of processed (APP) Amyloid Precursor Protein) variants, Tau isoforms and secretase components that play a role in neuronal cytotoxicity and subsequent brain dysfunction."

Amyloid plaques are sticky protein deposits in the brain containing amyloid beta peptide. Researchers have associated the buildup of this plaque with Alzheimer's disease since its discovery in 1907. But despite the clear correlation, scientists were not sure what, exactly, spurred the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.

The hypothesis that amyloid beta accumulation in the brain is the major cause of Alzheimer's Disease1 has been the focus of much attention over the past decade. Although this hypothesis was the leading explanation for the cause of AD, it had several weaknesses. The most obvious problem with the theory was the fact that the buildup of amyloid beta peptides did not necessarily correspond with the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms.

However, in 19982 and in 20023, researchers proposed that it was not the amyloid beta plaques themselves that were neurotoxic - and therefore the cause of Alzheimer's - but rather precursors to amyloid beta plaques formed by smaller aggregates of amyloid beta. These new ideas are gaining widespread acceptance among the Alzheimer's research community, creating a consensus that had not existed before.

This new focus provides one more spur to action for Alzheimer's researchers, and underscores the need for further advancement. "The AD field demands sophisticated, highly-sensitive research tools to track these components and quantitate the existence of monomeric, oligomeric and fibrillar amyloid forms present in the progression of Alzheimer's disease," says Dr. Fritze.

Antibody Treatment

Two new studies, both released in October 20044, suggest that new treatment options may be on the horizon. The studies are the modification of one of two previous attempts using amyloid beta (Aβ) antibodies in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The previous attempts, though not successful, did at least suggest new courses of action in Alzheimer's research and provided invaluable information for researchers.

In the first of the two previous attempts, researchers injected the antigen itself - pieces of the beta amyloid protein that makes up amyloid plaque - into mice, in the hopes that the injections would generate an immune (antibody) response against amyloid. Results were initially positive. The injected antigen produced Aβ antibodies and slowed the onset of the disease by decreasing Aβ levels. However, when tried on humans, the procedure led to meningoencephalitis (an inflammation of tissue around the brain) in some patients, and was therefore halted.

In the second attempt, a passive immunity therapy was tried in which antibodies to amyloid beta (not amyloid protein) were injected into mice, but hemorrhaging and inflammation ensued due to the high antibody doses required to be effective.

New Hope

But now there appears to be new hope for the use of antibodies as therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's patients. In the first of the two new studies that appeared in October conducted by the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, NCGG, and the Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham & Women's College, Harvard Institute of Medicine, researchers modified the first procedure. Concluding that the meningoenchaphalitis which occurred in some patients was caused by autoimmune T-cell activation, the researchers hoped to develop a vaccine that could minimize this T-cell activation while retaining the production of Aß antibodies.

To accomplish this they created an oral vaccine that attached Aß DNA to an adeno-associated virus vector, which served to mitigate T-cell activation. Thus they were able to decrease Aß levels in the brains of the mice and yet not activate T-cells to the degree they had before, greatly reducing the risk of meningoencephalitis.

In the other new study, conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers succeeded in making the passive immunity protocol much safer. This they accomplished by changing the point of entry for the Aß antibodies. Rather than injecting the antibodies into the body of the mice, as was done previously, antibody was injected directly into the brain of the mice. Because the antibodies were injected directly into the brain, smaller doses were needed, and side effects were minimized.

The results of the above studies, and the potential for further optimized immunization strategies may prove to be watershed events in the history of Alzheimer's treatment.

Covance is a leading provider of innovative antibody products and custom antibody development services to the research community for Alzheimer's disease. Visit http://www.Covance.com for more in-depth information and to view the suite of products for Alzheimer's disease. Boris Predovich is Vice President of Immunology and Surgical Services at Covance Research Products.

Notes

1. J.A. Hardy, G.A. Higgins (1992), Science, 256:184-5.

2. M.P. Lambert et al (1998), Proc Natl Acad Sci, 95:6448-53.

3. D.M. Walsh et al (2002), Nature, 416:535-9.

4. Neelima B. Chauhan et al (2004), Journal of Neuroscience Research, 78, 5:732-741.

Hideo Hara et al (2004), Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 6, 5:483-488.

R. L. Fielding writes on many health-related topics.

What You Should Know About Alzheimer's Stages

Are you fortunate enough to have not been effected by Alzheimer's stages in your family? Then know that November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month and this makes it a good time to reflect on the impact Alzheimer's disease stages has on our population. An estimated 5 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer's disease. New case is diagnosed every 72 seconds.

Alzheimer's is a disease that was first identified in 1906 by German physician Alois Alzheimer. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known. Alzheimer's disease stage tends to affect people who are over 65. However, there is estimated that about 500,000 people who are considered middle-aged have some forms of dementia or Alzheimer's stage.

The risk of developing the disease increases with age. Alzheimer's disease has many symptoms that are often quite obvious and require medical attention. Some of them are memory loss, difficulty performing normal daily tasks, disorientation with time and place, changes in personality, loss of initiative and depression.

This deadly disease progresses through different Alzheimer's stages. The memory is usually the first to go and can be notice by family members. Patients' ability to think clearly is gradually lost over time.

When disease moves to the next Alzheimer's stage other people usually start notice as well, because patients may do things that are consider being strange. Some who were consider a calm person may become agitated or easily upset. Also behaviour problems and communication difficulties may surface.

Support and help can be provided by social services for those with Alzheimer's disease but when the things move to the next Alzheimer's stage that's when full-time residential care may be necessary and family of the patients has to make this painful decision. For people in severe Alzheimer's stages it may be difficult to perform everyday tasks, they may not recognise people around them or their surroundings.

Several things are known about ALZHEIMER'S STAGE. The main one, there is no cure just like many degenerative neurological diseases. Alzheimer is progressive disease, which means it always get worse, and the effects are irreversible. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Undoubtedly someone you know will or has some form of dementia. So, especially this month of November Take One Moment to think about all these who are affected by Alzheimer's disease. If You Are Worried About Loved Ones who developed Alzheimer's disease stage you can find more information at http://www.squidoo.com/Alzheimers-stages

Coping With Alzheimer's

BACKGROUND

Today there are between 5 and 6 million people in the United States who suffer with Alzheimer's disease and over 100 million people who have known a family member, a friend, or a neighbor who has had Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease has touched so many people that it has had a large impact on all of our lives. As your life expectancy goes up so do your chances of getting Alzheimer's. It is unknown who in our circle will become affected by this disease--our mother, our father, our friend--so, learning how to cope with Alzheimer's is a concern for everyone.

PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST

If one of your loved ones has Alzheimer's, one of the most important ways of coping is learning to take care of yourself. There are different stages or Alzheimer's and each stage is progressively more limiting. This makes each new stage more demanding for the loved ones. When Alzheimer's strikes someone you love, it can become all consuming. Realize that Alzheimer's is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important not to let the disease take over every corner of your life. It is okay to put yourself first.

Many family members experience a lot of guilt. Replacing the feelings of guilt with the commitment to take care of your needs and wants can make it easier to handle all of the problems that Alzheimer's brings. Everyone who loves the person with Alzheimer's experiences loss, which increases as the disease progresses. Develop a support network early on. You will need to know where you can turn for the help you will need. When others offer help-take it!

The loss is especially acute for the primary family caregiver. If you are a family caregiver, you need to plan regular respite for yourself. Your need for support is considerable. Whether you get respite from family and friends or from professionals (All For You Home Care), coping with Alzheimer's means making sure that you get regular "time away".

Throughout the Sacramento region there are support groups where family members affected by Alzheimer's can come together. Many find such groups very comforting. Here they can listen to others, gain pragmatic ideas, get information, share their own pain and frustrations, cry, and even laugh. Others find it helpful to seek professional counseling with a therapist or doctor. There are also different on-line groups where people can get help and support.

COMMUNICATION

To cope with Alzheimer's it is essential to learn techniques for better communication. Following are tips that have helped others communicate with their loved one who has Alzheimer's. It is important to remember that no matter what you do, communication with someone with Alzheimer's will always be difficult.

Ask one question at a time

If you ask more than one question at a time, you will only confuse the matter for the person with Alzheimer's. This will make it less likely for them to be able to answer your question.

Be careful not to interrupt

When you interrupt a person with Alzheimer's it makes it more difficult for them to complete a thought.

Be patient

A person with Alzheimer's may take a long time to respond to your question or thought. Be patient and remember that they are doing the best that they can.

Call your loved one by their name

One of the first things we learn in life is our name. When you want anyone's attention it is best to use their name, but with someone with Alzheimer's it is particularly important.

Do not argue

It is difficult not to argue with the person with Alzheimer's because many of the things they are likely to say make no sense to most of us. It can be difficult not to respond in what seems like a reasonable and rational manner. It is important to remember that the disease that has captured their brain distorts their view of things. You cannot argue them into reality. You will only make things more unpleasant.

Encourage pointing

Pointing or gesturing is often an easier and more effective form of communication for someone with Alzheimer's. Do not limit communication to the use of words.

Have their attention before speaking

The person with Alzheimer's may not be attending to you. Before you speak, get their attention.

Listen as long as they are struggling to speak

When the person with Alzheimer's is struggling to say something, you will need to listen as long as it takes for them to express themselves. When they are struggling with this task, it can seem like a very long time.

Listen carefully for the meaning behind the words

Frequently the person with Alzheimer's may use the wrong words. Rather than responding to the exact words, attend to what they are trying to communicate.

Pronounce words carefully

Often we get very casual with how we pronounce words because most people are able to understand us even when we are not careful with the precise pronunciation. For the person with Alzheimer's it is important to be precise in how you speak.

Speak at eye level

Making eye contact can make sure that you have their attention. You can only do this when you are facing them and it is easiest if you are at the same level eye to eye.

Stay calm

Speaking in a hurried or loud voice makes it more difficult for the person with Alzheimer's to respond appropriately. If you speak in an intense manner, the person with Alzheimer's may become agitated and escalate the situation.

Talk slowly

When you speak quickly, it is hard to sort out the specific words you are saying. Much like when someone is trying to learn a foreign language, they are more likely to understand if the words are spoken slowly.

Try to read facial expressions

Struggling to express thoughts through words is difficult for the person with Alzheimer's, yet they are likely to make facial expressions associated with what they are attempting to say. This is especially true when what they are trying to say is something they feel strongly about.

Use simple words

When you are trying to communicate with someone with Alzheimer's it works a lot better to use short, simple words. Using words with one syllable is best.

When you don't understand, guess. Guessing is a way of prompting and this can help the person with Alzheimer's find the right words.

INDEPENDENCE

Independence is an important value for all of us. It is something that none of us would give up willingly. The loss of independence is a tragedy for those suffering with Alzheimer's.

Early in the course of Alzheimer's, the disease may be difficult to diagnose. At this stage, the person with the disease is still capable of exercising judgment and decision-making in most situations. They may have only minor disabilities and need little help to be safe. At this point, thinking about taking away their independence is likely to build mistrust. It is important to support the person with Alzheimer's desire to be independent for as long as possible. There is one exception to this approach. In the case of driving the risk is high and the danger so extreme, that the person with Alzheimer's should stop driving when they are first diagnosed with the disease.

SAFETY

At some point, the judgment of a person with Alzheimer's will become compromised. They will become increasingly dependent on others to make decisions on their behalf. The time period when safety becomes an issue varies. Alzheimer's is a physical disease that attacks the brain and effects personality, behavior and mood. The person with Alzheimer's develops problematic behavior and troubling personality changes. Even small changes and transitions become very difficult. Now is the time when you will have to consider the living situation of your loved one for the first time.

There is no cookie cutter answer for how to cope with this period of life. Making the decision more complicated is knowing that change is incredibly difficult for the person afflicted. Can a professional caregiver come into the home and care for both the loved one with Alzheimer's as well as the spouse? Would this be easier for them because of the difficulty of dealing with changes? Should the desire to stay home be considered? Can your loved one live with another family member? Would your loved one do better in an elder care facility? What role should cost play? How much money is available for care? At this stage people with Alzheimer's cannot make decisions for themselves, and the family needs to begin making these tough decisions. This is a difficult time full of difficult choices.

ALL FOR YOU HOME CARE

All For You Home Care takes care of many people who have Alzheimer's disease. We keep the older person as independent as possible for as long as possible. Professional caregivers come into their homes and provide supervision, housekeeping, meal preparation, errands, mind stimulation, personal attention and social support. We also provide support for the entire family. Knowing that your loved one is safe and cared for is an effective way of coping with Alzheimer's disease.

All For You Home Care is located in Sacramento California, serving all surrounding areas. Visit http://www.allforyouhomecare.com.

Evelyn was born and has lived her entire life in California. She graduated from the University of Davis with a major in psychology. Following graduation she took a position working with elementary age children. At the age of 26, she applied for and received a license from the California State to operate a residential program for troubled children. She was the President and CEO of this company and built the business to over 1000 employees. She became interested in senior care when, with the help of some terrific caregivers, both her mother and my father were able to live their entire lives at home even as ailments took their toll. She realized how precious this opportunity was and wanted to give others the joy of this experience. Five years ago she formed a corporation to provide in-home care services for seniors. The name of this business is All For You Home Care.

21 Astounding Facts And Figures About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease represents a dismal future for older adults in this country. An Alzheimer's diagnoses is the most devastating news that one can receive from a Doctor as it relates to personal health or the healthy of a loved ones. There are no drugs on the market that can cure Alzheimer's. The diagnosis is an agonizing death sentence because death is the final result.

The most frustrating part of the Alzheimer's crisis is there is no known single cause. There are some specific statistics concerning Alzheimer's that may help you understand the wide spread devastation of this disease and how it can impact families, communities. and the nation as a whole.

These facts and figures were provided from the database of the Alzheimer's Association National Office Chicago, IL. and a combination of other white papers, USA government research. grants on Alzheimer's.

In the vast majority of cases, age is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's.

1) The odds of developing Alzheimer's double every five years over age 65, and by age 85, the odds of developing the disease are 1 in 2.

2) Alzheimer's comes in third as the most expensive illness for older people. Heart attack and cancer are numbers 1 and 2.

3) The federal government budgeted $645 million for Alzheimer's research for 2007.

5) The federal government will spend 7 million less in 2007 than the government spent in 2006.

6) In contrast, $2.6 billion was allocated for research into HIV/AIDS, which afflicts only one million Americans.

7) After 100 years there is no cure and no drug that stops the devastation of the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients.

8) After only 10 years, AIDS went from being a death sentence to being a manageable disease.

9) Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S.

10 There are over 12 million people nationwide affected by Alzheimer's.

11). Current direct and indirect cost of caring for the 4.5 million of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are at least 100 Billion annually.

12) The duration of the disease can last from 3-20 years.

13) $200 million in research grants have been awarded from The Alzheimer's Association for since 1982

14) By the year 2050, 11.3 million to 16 million Americans are predicted to have Alzheimer's disease.

15) People with Alzheimer's disease survive about 1/2 as long as those of similar age that do not Alzheimer's disease.

16) More than 7 out of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease live at home, where almost 75 percent of their care is provided by family and friends.

17) One half of all nursing home residents have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

18) Nursing home care costs approximately $42,000 per year but can go as high as can $70,000 per year in some areas of the country.

19) The average lifetime cost of care for an individual with Alzheimer's is $174,000.

20) Medicare costs for beneficiaries with Alzheimer's are expected to increase 75 percent, from $91 billion in 2005 to $160 billion in 2010.

21) Medicaid expenditures on residential dementia care will increase 14 percent to $24 billion in 2010, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association.

The fact and figures relating to Alzheimer's are grim and offer little hope. However researchers, scientist are finding clues daily to the cause of this disease. There is a national movement from private and public sources dedicated to defeating this disease.

The human spirit can not be defeated. There is hope. Azheimer's disease is a disease that will be defeated by the ingenuity and creative endeavors of thousands of brilliant minds whose aim in life is to find the cause and the cure for Alzheimers and other related dementias.

For more information on alzheimers statistics, treatment, caregiving, and support resources, please visit http://www.alzheimersdiseasetips.com for helpful tips. Be sure to read the article on alzheimers disease early symptom detection.