All About Alzheimer

All About Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia that targets the brain.
Ultimately, Alzheimer’s damages a person’s mental ability and can cause symptoms
such as memory loss in adults of all ages. Most cases are seen in individuals who are
sixty years of age and older.
Click here to enlarge infographic.
Alzheimer’sdisease may affect the day to day tasks and activities that someone
engages in. There are a few factors to consider when looking at the causes of
Alzheimer’s. The greatest influence is age, especially among people who are age sixty
and above. Other factors of this disease include genetics, the environment, and
lifestyle choices. In many cases, a combination of the three factors play a role in the
development of the disease. However, every individual is unique and these factors
may increase or decrease the risk of contracting the illness quite differently for each
person.
This article will cover the following topics on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

Risk Factors
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Resources
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
IN THIS ARTICLE
1. What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
2. Causes/Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
3. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
4. Early Stage Symptoms
5. Middle Stage Symptoms
6. Late Stage Symptoms
7. Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. How NurseRegistry Can Help
10. Resources
An individual with Alzheimer’s has extraordinary levels of beta-amyloid in the brain.
It is known to be an extremely toxic protein that occurs naturally. High amounts of
this protein build upon one another forming plaques which interrupt normal cell
function by blocking neurons.
Causes/Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
As an individual ages, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases. The

amount of people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s has grown in recent
years.
Genetics is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Genes in a parent’s DNA may be
passed down to children. If an individual carries the Alzheimer’s gene, it may be
inherited by that person’s offspring. Genes may also become mutated through
environmental factors, which can then be passed down through genetics.
Environmental factors include ultraviolet radiation from the sun, alcohol
consumption, smoking, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition. Mutations in an
individual’s genes may also occur during cell division when a parent’s DNA is
replicated into new cells.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs in three different stages, and these stages may be
different for each unique individual. Symptoms may worsen overtime. Yet, some
symptoms, such as problems with the brain, begin to form long before the person even
knows that they have the disease.
Early Stage Symptoms
An individual in the early stage may notice small signs such as forgetting names,
words, or locations of items. Often, they may not notice any symptoms in the
beginning.
Early symptoms include:
 Memory Loss. Issues with remembering names and words may become a
problem.
 Difficulty completing tasks. Issues may arise with completing daily or
work related tasks.
 Forgetfulness. A person may begin to forget things they have just read or
learned about.
 Lack of organization. Individuals may develop problems with keeping
track of events and items.
Middle Stage Symptoms
During this stage, the individual and other people will begin to notice some of the
issues related to Alzheimer’s.
Middle stage symptoms include:
 Confusion. This could include confusion about the date, time, and where
that person is at a particular time.
 Forgetfulness. An individual may forget parts of their past, upcoming
events, phone numbers, or events that they have participated in the past.
 Mood swings. A person may get upset in social settings or when presented
with a mental challenge.
 Difficulty with decisions. Choosing what to eat or wear on a particular day
or time may become an issue.
Changes in sleep. Mood and sleep patterns may begin to change very easily.
Late Stage Symptoms
In this stage, people with Alzheimer’s will become very problematic. Communication
will become difficult with others. They will also experience problems with their
movement. Memory issues will get worse, as well as the ability to do daily tasks.
Late stage symptoms include:
 Loss of abilities. Regular abilities such as running, sitting, and walking

will become more difficult.
 Vulnerability. People may become susceptible to various illnesses and
other diseases.
 Forgetfulness. An individual will begin to forget experiences that have
recently occured, their surroundings, and memories.
 Communication. It will become much more difficult to communicate with
other individuals compared to the previous stages.
 Difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs). The individual will need
help with certain daily tasks, including personal care and hygiene.
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
Although there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, there are a few strategies to delay the
onset or slow the progression of symptoms. The most important step an individual
can do to try and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease is to be and act healthy. As they age, this
will become especially important.
The top five areas of health you should focus on are:
 Nutrition. It is important for an individual to eata healthy diet. Diets that

are filled with fruits and vegetables are necessary to fuel the body with
nutrients. Other foods to incorporate into a healthy diet include whole
grain, fish and olive oil. Mediterranean diets are among the best for their
brain health benefits.
 Physical activity. It is great for a person to be physically fit. Promote
proper health and wellness by engaging in activities such as running and
other workouts that strengthen the body.
 Mental stimulation. Individuals need to keep their brain active as well.
This can be done through mentally stimulating occupations, cognitive
games, higher education, or engaging activities. Chess, book clubs, and
other activities exercise the mind.
 Engagement in social activities. This includes going out to do activities
like shopping or camping with friends and family. Social activities are not
limited and may include concerts, museums, grabbing coffee with a
friend, and more.
 Stay healthy. Individuals should monitor their blood pressure and
cholesterol level to decrease the risk of illnesses such as diabetes, because
these can lead to more health issues. People may also stay healthy by
avoiding excessive smoking and drinking. If you smoke, read these 8 tips
to help you quit smoking.
Diagnosis and Treatment

A medical professional can usually determine if someone has Alzheimer’s, but it can
be a lengthy process. A proper diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease is strenuous because
there is no single test that confirmsan individual has the disease.
These are the steps that can be taken to determine if a person has Alzheimer’s.
 Neurological and physical exam. This tests an individual’s motor

responses—such as their reflexes—and may show if the nervous system
has any issues.
 Brain imaging and blood tests. Any problems within the brain may be
seen much more clearly through imaging.Blood tests can identify if an
individual has the particular Alzheimer’s mutated gene.
 Mood and mental status testing. This will test an individual’s behavior,
cognitive abilities, appearance, degree of consciousness, mood,
perception, and attitudes.
 Medical history. Taking a closer look at an individual’s medical history
may determine if a person’s health is getting better or worse. Illnesses or
injuries in the past can help determine if someone might have Alzheimer’s
Disease.
There is no one treatment to cure Alzheimer’s Disease, yet much can be done to help
with cognitive and behavioral issues.
 Medication. There is no one medication that will cure Alzheimer’s,

however certain medications may relieve some of the symptoms, such as
memory loss..
 The drug class central acetylcholinesterase(AChEi) inhibitors
prevent the AChEi enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is essential to learning and memory function; in
people with Alzheimer’s, acetylcholine is broken down. This
will lead to an increase of acetylcholine. Useful drugs in this
class are Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine.
 Treatment. Individuals with Alzheimer’s often take other

medications,which may cause increased behavioral issues. Speaking with
your doctor and asking questions is important and may prevent some
issues. For example, unaddressed hearing problems may lead to more
confusion for individuals with Alzheimer’s. A person with Alzheimer’s is
more likely to contract other illnesses, and they may struggle with
communicating issues or symptoms to their doctor.
 Clinical Trials. Individuals may participate in various clinical trials
relating to Alzheimer’s that may help with understanding the relationship
between symptoms and the effects of prevention tactics on cognition.
 CAM. Complementary and alternative medicine are health and wellness
treatments that may help with various illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.
Typically, these are used alongside conventional medicine or as an
alternative treatment. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements are
known by some to prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s and slow the process
down.
 Medical foods such as coconut oil and caprylic acid are known
to cause brain growth by providing an alternative energy
source for cells in the brain that cannot use sugar anymore
due to Alzheimer’s.
 These are many other alternative therapies, yet it may be best

to use them with conventional medicine. It is always best to
consult your primary care physician.
How NurseRegistry Can Help
If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, NurseRegistry can help. Our
skilled nurses often provide greater peace of mind than unskilled care can. We offer a
full range of services, including:
 Wellness checks
 Medication Management
 Palliative Care
 Case Management
 Hospice Care
 Respite Care
Caring for a loved one can be very challenging at times. Individuals with Alzheimer’s
disease can require a lot of attention and care. NurseRegistry can provide temporary
care for your loved so that you can have the break you deserve, whether that be for a
few hours or a weekend away. Each one of our nurses are licensed and experienced in
a variety of specialities. You can depend on our nurses to provide excellent care to
your loved ones.
Call (650) 462-1001 to speak with a Client Care Coordinator about care options for
your loved one. Or, visit us online at NurseRegistry.com/Private-Care/
Resources
The Alzheimer’s Association has educational information and resources.
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has educational resources such as

the National Institute on Aging.
The U.S National Library of Medicine has information on genetic conditions and

mutations.
Mayoclinic.org offers educational resources and more information on Alzheimer’s

Disease.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information has many educational resources

and is an excellent resource for human behavior and the mind.
For more information on Alzheimer’s prevention and clinical trials visit nia.nih.gov.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended to diagnose

health problems or take the place of professional medical advice or care you receive
from a health care provider. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis must be confirmed with a
licensed medical professional. Always consult your health care provider about
symptoms, health problems, medications, and treatments.
Written by Jesse Rio

All About Alzheimer

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All About Alzheimer’s

This article will cover the following topics on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

As an individual ages, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases. The

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early Stage Symptoms

Middle Stage Symptoms

Middle stage symptoms include:

Late Stage Symptoms

Late stage symptoms include:

 Loss of abilities. Regular abilities such as running, sitting, and walking

Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

 Nutrition. It is important for an individual to eata healthy diet. Diets that

Diagnosis and Treatment

 Neurological and physical exam. This tests an individual’s motor

 Medication. There is no one medication that will cure Alzheimer’s,

 Treatment. Individuals with Alzheimer’s often take other

 These are many other alternative therapies, yet it may be best

How NurseRegistry Can Help

The Alzheimer’s Association has educational information and resources.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has educational resources such as

The U.S National Library of Medicine has information on genetic conditions and

Mayoclinic.org offers educational resources and more information on Alzheimer’s

The National Center for Biotechnology Information has many educational resources

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended to diagnose

Written by Jesse Rio

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