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The Effect of Alzheimer's on Lives

Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that is both terminal and incurable. It was discovered and named in 1906, and is generally diagnosed in people age 65 or older. There are many different levels of Alzheimer's, and they can develop over years or months. The different levels of the disease affect a person's memory, language, physical capabilities, attentiveness and personality, and often cannot be stopped or slowed. The only suggested deterrents for Alzheimer's are a good diet, exercise and mental stimulation throughout life.

  1. Pre-Dementia

    • Often early systems of dementia are thought to be simple stress related issues, or the results of aging and entering the advanced years of a person's life. Early symptoms can occur up to eight years before a person is actually diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms include most notably memory loss and the easy loss of attention or train of thought.

    Early Dementia

    • As the early symptoms progress into early dementia, the effects become much more pronounced. Persons with dementia begin having trouble with simple words and sentences; they begin to forget large chunks of their past, known as episodic memory; their speaking becomes less fluid; they lose the ability to do daily activities (such as tying shoes); and many tasks become difficult and they appear clumsy.

    Moderate Dimentia

    • With moderate dementia, the patient begins to advance to a severe form of Alzheimer's. She loses the ability to live independently. She can no longer read and write, and her vocabulary is severely limited at this point. Long-term memories begin to fade and outbursts of aggression and emotion are common.

    Advanced Dementia

    • The worst of Alzheimer's begins to rear its head with advanced dementia. The patient becomes delusional at first, and loses memory of all but the closest contacts, and sometimes these as well. At the end of the road, the patient loses speech, becomes exhausted, muscle mass deteriorates and the ability to eat is lost. This often leads to illness which causes death.

    Effect on Loved Ones

    • The effect of Alzheimer's on loved ones can be particularly draining as the sick person becomes increasingly aggressive and increasingly hard to take care of. The family may be forced to move the sick person to a constant care facility, an emotional and financial burden on family and friends. The withering of the disease can be slow and painful, and loved ones will likely have to watch as a person slowly loses all memories and much of their physical appearance and health.

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