What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that results in the decline of brain function, affecting memory, thought processes and other mental abilities. The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, although there are a few factors which can increase your risk of developing it.
These include:
- Ageing
- A family history of the disease
- Depression that has been left untreated
- Conditions commonly associated with cardiovascular disease
Is Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease the Same?
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, although the conditions themselves are not the same. Here are the differences between the two:
Dementia – this is a syndrome and not a disease. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that don’t have a definitive diagnosis. These symptoms will affect the mental cognitive tasks of the person who suffers with it. Dementia is an umbrella term, with Alzheimer’s disease falling under it.
Alzheimer’s disease – this is a progressive disease of the brain, gradually impairing memory and general cognitive function. A cause is yet to be determined and there is currently no cure.
What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progresses over time, often several years. Often, these symptoms can be put down to old age, leading to misdiagnosis in older people. The rate at which symptoms progress will differ depending on the individual and their age. Alzheimer’s disease comes on in stages, including:
Early symptoms
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty remembering conversations
- Memory loss
- Repetitively asking questions
- Poor judgement
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Hesitant to try new things or meet new people
Middle-stage symptoms
- Increased confusion
- Disorientation
- Increasingly obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
- Delusional
- Feelings of paranoia or being suspicious of family members or friends
- Problems with speech
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hallucinations
Later symptoms
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Weight loss
- Incontinence
- Loss of speech occurring over time
- Loss of long and short term memory
- Difficulty moving around unaided
If you or someone you know is displaying any of these symptoms, a visit to your GP is highly advisable. Although there is no cure at present, the symptoms can be controlled depending on the stage you’re at.
Alzheimer’s Care at Bondcare
The team here at Bondcare have years of experience working with Alzheimer’s patients, so we can put all your worries to rest and provide a warm environment for yourself or a loved one. Our Alzheimer’s care facilities are second to none, offering a quality of life that enables patients to retain independence and partake in activities and social events.
We have a range of Alzhemier’s specialist care homes located across the United Kingdom, so you’ll be sure to find one that will suit your individual needs. Take a look through our professional care homes and what they offer, or get in touch with a member of our team today and we’ll be more than happy to go through any queries you may have.
