Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and degenerative brain disease that causes irreversible damage over time.
Memory Problems:
Difficulty remembering things
Forgetting names of people or places
Cognitive Challenges:
Short attention span
Poor problem-solving skills
Trouble learning new information
Behavioral Changes:
Repeating questions or stories
Wandering behavior
Collecting items (e.g., dishes, napkins, or personal items)
Eating frequently or forgetting to eat
Physical and Coordination Issues:
Shuffling gait or unsteady walking
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms:
Confusion
Personality changes and mood swings
Sun downing (increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening)
Combativeness
Language and Communication Problems:
Difficulty finding the right words
Trouble following conversations
Understanding Sun Downing
Sun downing refers to a worsening of confusion, agitation, and restlessness during the late afternoon and evening as daylight diminishes. This symptom is common in Alzheimer’s and can be managed by maintaining a consistent routine, reducing overstimulation, and ensuring a calm, well-lit environment.
Key Takeaway for Caregivers
When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to:
Stay patient and compassionate.
Simplify communication and routines.
Prioritize safety, especially for those prone to wandering or shuffling gait.
Recognize behaviors as symptoms of the disease, not intentional actions.
Provide emotional support to navigate mood swings and personality changes.
By understanding Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers can create a nurturing, structured environment that promotes comfort and quality of life for individuals living with this condition.
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The disease creates lesions that clog and disrupt communication between brain cells, gradually destroying the brain from the inside.
By its final stages, a healthy brain (weighing around 3 pounds) can shrink to 1.5 pounds with visible holes and extensive cell loss. Alzheimer’s is gradual, irreversible, and ultimately fatal.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease may present as:
Common Signs and Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease may present as:
Memory Problems:
Difficulty remembering things
Forgetting names of people or places
Cognitive Challenges:
Short attention span
Poor problem-solving skills
Trouble learning new information
Behavioral Changes:
Repeating questions or stories
Wandering behavior
Collecting items (e.g., dishes, napkins, or personal items)
Eating frequently or forgetting to eat
Physical and Coordination Issues:
Shuffling gait or unsteady walking
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms:
Confusion
Personality changes and mood swings
Sun downing (increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening)
Combativeness
Language and Communication Problems:
Difficulty finding the right words
Trouble following conversations
Understanding Sun Downing
Sun downing refers to a worsening of confusion, agitation, and restlessness during the late afternoon and evening as daylight diminishes. This symptom is common in Alzheimer’s and can be managed by maintaining a consistent routine, reducing overstimulation, and ensuring a calm, well-lit environment.
Key Takeaway for Caregivers
When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to:
Stay patient and compassionate.
Simplify communication and routines.
Prioritize safety, especially for those prone to wandering or shuffling gait.
Recognize behaviors as symptoms of the disease, not intentional actions.
Provide emotional support to navigate mood swings and personality changes.
By understanding Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers can create a nurturing, structured environment that promotes comfort and quality of life for individuals living with this condition.
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