Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60% to 70% of cases of dementia which is a chronic disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time and is often misunderstood as just a normal stage of aging. It can start with the simplest things like forgetting events, misplacing items and often these signs are ignored. As the disease advances, symptoms can include: problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self-care, and behavioural issues and sadly, can then result in withdrawing from society and family.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada says that getting an early diagnosis is the key. Some early signs to watch for are memory loss that affects day to day functions, difficulty performing regular tasks, problems with language, disorientation of time and place, poor or decreased judgement, misplacing things, changes in mood and behaviour, changes in personality and loss of initiative.
There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving the way those affected by this disease are cared for and treated. Advances in medical science have now found some medications that, although they do not cure Alzheimer’s, they can greatly help with symptoms.
The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories reports that today in Alberta some 40,000 people have dementia, with 17% of these having been diagnosed under the age of 65. This gives Alberta the highest prevalence of early onset in Canada. The society has been around since 1988 and states “The Alzheimer Society of Alberta & Northwest Territories heightens awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, provides support services and supports research”.
If you see this symptoms in someone in your life, you can visit http://www.alzheimer.ab.ca/home.aspx for more information or contact your health care provider.
