THE WELLNESS & FITNESS CENTER'S BLOG

National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November 10, 2014, 11:28 pm - Categories: Education

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia or memory loss, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases. The greatest risk factor is increasing age, although there are signs for early detection. Common signs and symptoms include memory loss, inability to hold a conversation, confusion, mood and behavior changes, and in the late stages, difficulty speaking or walking. Keep in mind that symptoms may vary from person to person.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which gradually worsens over time. It is characterized by seven progressive stages:

• Stage 1: No impairment – the person does not experience any memory problems
• Stage 2: Very mild decline – the person feels as if they are having memory lapses
• Stage 3: Mild decline – the person begins misplacing objects, forgetting names, and having difficulty performing daily tasks
• Stage 4: Moderate decline – the person forgets recent events and is moody or withdrawn in a social settings
• Stage 5: Moderately severe decline – the person is unable to recall his/her address, needs assistance selecting clothing for the proper season, is confused on dates, times, or whereabouts
• Stage 6: Severe decline – the person loses awareness of recent experiences, has difficulty remembering personal history, needs assistance when dressing, has major personality and behavioral changes, and tends to wander or become lost
• Stage 7: Very severe decline – the person loses the ability to respond to their environment, needs help with activity of daily living, loses the ability to smile or sit without support, has abnormal reflexes, rigid muscles, and impaired swallowing.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are medications to treat the symptoms. If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or think you are noticing signs or symptoms of the disease, contact a health care provider.

Here for the top 5 tips for living with a person suffering from this disease:

1. Try not to take their behaviors personally
2. Remain patient and calm
3. Explore pain as a trigger
4. Don’t argue or try to convince
5. Accept behaviors as a reality of the disease and try to work through them

By: Jennifer Robinson, MS, BS, NATABOC-Certified Athletic Trainer, Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer at VHWFC

Reference: www.alz.org