Finding Alzheimer’s Capable Care

As Alzheimer ‘s disease progresses, you may need to consider a home help or care . There are several easy to use tools to help determine your needs and find care help.
Deciding where to live

Staying at home : most people prefer to stay at home as long as possible . Stay home often requires two things : 1 ) find providers who will come to the house , and 2 ) the adaptation of housing to reduce barriers to care delivery and make the home safe for a person with Alzheimer ‘s disease . In many cases , small changes in the home , it may be possible to live at home longer .

Eldercare.gov has answers on how to change your home care .
CareFinder foreign policy of the Alzheimer’s Association website is an interactive tool that recommends care options and provides a list of questions for screening a caregiver.
The Eldercare Locator to find help in your community by searching by zip code or city and state.

Home and Community Services

External Disease Association Alzheimer Policy website has a list of services that can be included in the house – and exemptions from community-based services .

respite

External Web Alzheimer Association Policy explains the types of health centers and the resources to find care facilities available.

Types of homes allowed in your area :

Residential Care : If you are staying at home is no longer an option , there are different types of facilities that cater to people with Alzheimer’s.

Nursing Home Compare Medicare can help you find and compare nursing homes.
Foreign Policy The Eldercare Locator Web site provides answers to questions and information on the installation of common life.
Accommodation Finder Foreign Policy website main Alzheimer ‘s Association has several filters to find a care facility , including city, state , county , zip code or options.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website Foreign Policy ‘ s provides names and links to institutions of dementia care that meet national standards.

 

Caregiver Resources

Most people want to stay in their community and live in their homes as long as possible . Communities and states offer different services. This page offers ideas to help you start looking for support in your area .
Find local resources

Federal and state programs ( other than Medicaid ) : Many communities have programs to help people with Alzheimer ‘s disease in a number of ways. One of the best ways to determine what government assistance available is to contact your local agency on aging.

The Agency on Aging may be able to connect to services such as meals on wheels , transportation services for medical appointments help or support groups for people with Alzheimer ‘s disease and their caregivers, and other home care programs . These resources are especially important if you choose to stay at home.

The Eldercare Locator can find help in a variety of topics and can be filtered by topic or geographic location.
Association 24/7 Foreign Aid Policy Alzheimer ‘s website provides information and support to people with memory loss , caregivers, health professionals and the public at 1-800-272-3900 .
The Department of Veterans Affairs U.S. can help you find help in your area with zip code or location line of support for carers who care for a veteran.
Alzheimer ‘s Disease Education and Referral Center NIH can be contacted, five days a week , by phone at 1-800-438-4380 or by email at adear@nia.nih.gov .

Advice and support

Information and advice from reliable sources, such as community organizations and support groups can help people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families to adapt to the challenges of the disease and reduce stress.

Counseling can help you understand how a person with Alzheimer ‘s disease is changing, and help you understand how to deal with these changes. By learning some tips from people who have experience with this disease , physicians can be better prepared and less stressed as new challenges arise .

Support groups can contact with people who are facing similar circumstances. Participate in groups or talking to someone on the phone can help reduce feelings of isolation .

Find the right one for you and the person you care is an important part of care and treatment puzzle .

Free telephone Foundation foreign policy Alzheimer ‘s website provides information and advice and registered social workers may be referred to community resources across the country .
24/7 Support External Web Policy Alzheimer ‘s Association is available for caregivers , families and people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Disease Center WebMD Health Policy Web Alzheimer external site has an overview of the types of support services and counseling options for people affected by the disease.
The National Institutes of Health has a guide that gives practical advice for care in all phases , including how to cope with changes in personality and communication , so that the security of your home , where to get help, medical decisions , and deal with the later stages of the disease.
The Ministry of the Caregiver Support Line for Veterans of the United States can provide assistance for the care of a veteran and connect with a local coordinator to support caregivers.

 

Clinical Trial

Joining a Clinical Trial

Before any new medicine can be used to treat patients, it must be thoroughly tested to make sure it is safe and effective. Doctors who specialize in research conduct clinical trials to evaluate new medicines as well as other treatments, like exercise, diet, and even education programs to better treat — and hopefully one day prevent — Alzheimer’s disease.

Thousands of people with Alzheimer’s — as well as people who do not have the disease — are needed in clinical trials. Many study volunteers say this is one way they can directly be part of the fight against Alzheimer’s.

More information about participating in research is available from a number of resources:

• NIH explains why it’s important to participate in research and how clinical trials are overseen.
• NIH’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center has information on participating in clinical trials and studies, as well as a listing of Alzheimer’s trials you can search by geographic area.
• Alzheimer’s Association has information and links to additional clinical trials that are not federally funded.
• Alzheimer’s Foundation offers an overview of issues to think about when considering participating in clinical trials.

 

Medical Treatment

medical treatment

There is no cure for Alzheimer ‘s disease , but there are medications that can improve the quality of life and delay some symptoms. It is also recommended counseling and other therapies.

At present , there are four approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of the symptoms of the disease of some drugs of time, but can not stop the disease itself. Not all drugs will be useful for anyone with dementia.

Information on the four currently approved drugs – and the treatments that we know does not work – is on these sites:

NIH Alzheimer’s Education and Referral Center is an overview of the currently approved drugs disease ‘ s , how they work and their potential side effects.
External Disease Association website has resources policy Alzheimer treatments and advances in drug research without drugs .

Changes in behavior

As the disease progresses, the person with dementia may experience a variety of problems, such as sleeplessness , agitation, wandering , anxiety , anger and depression. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are available to manage these symptoms . Treating behavioral symptoms often makes people with Alzheimer ‘s disease caregivers more comfortable and help to ensure their safety.

NIH Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center has more information on the types of treatment, approved drugs , and ongoing research .
External Disease Association Alzheimer Policy website has more information about changes in behavior, their symptoms , what causes them , and how to cope and deal with these symptoms.

 

Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome

Alzheimer’s disease occurs three to five times more common in people with Down syndrome than in the general population. People with Down syndrome are also more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age than other adults.

As adults, age also increases the chances of a person with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer’s disease. Estimates vary, but it is reasonable to conclude that 25 percent or more of individuals with Down syndrome who are older than 35 have clinical signs and symptoms of dementia of the Alzheimer type.

However, it is important to note that not all people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s symptoms.

 

Mild Cognitive Impairment

s some people age, have more memory problems than other people their age . This condition is known as mild cognitive impairment ( MCI ) . People with MCI have mild problems with thinking and memory that usually do not interfere with daily activities . They are often aware of the forgetfulness . People with MCI may progress to Alzheimer ‘s disease over time, but not everyone with MCI develops dementia.

The National Library of Medicine , PubMed , USA has an overview of dementia , its causes , risk factors , symptoms and treatment options .
Education and Referral Center Alzheimer ‘s Disease Institute also provides information and news about MCI .
The website of the foreign policy of the Mayo Clinic provides information on the symptoms and the causes , diagnosis and treatment options .
External Web Alzheimer Association policy provides quick facts about MCI .

 

Alzheimer’s Stages and Changes

Steps and changes in Alzheimer’s disease

A person with Alzheimer ‘s disease will change over time, and understanding of these changes can help you plan ahead. People with early Alzheimer ‘s disease can usually participate in decisions about their care . Experts suggest about concerns, worries and frustrations with family and friends instead of trying to figure out everything on your own . Work together to find ways to preserve their independence. Take the time to make plans for the care of legal and financial health at this stage before disease progression .

As the disease progresses, memory loss and changes in behavior and mood become more severe , which requires constant attention. At the same time , people with Alzheimer ‘s disease can still enjoy normal activities.

The late stage Alzheimer’s care all day needs and may require residential care placement . This stage can last from several weeks to several years.
How Alzheimer’s affects the brain ?

In Alzheimer ‘s disease , brain cells called neurons gradually stop working , lose connections with other neurons , and eventually die. Abnormal amounts of proteins also form plaques and tangles – main characteristics of the disease – but still do not know why this happens. Over time, the brain shrinks and a person with Alzheimer ‘s disease can not remember , think and participate in daily activities without assistance.

The National Institutes of Health provides detailed information about the disease . The site includes a helpful animated short video about how Alzheimer ‘s disease affects the brain .

 

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s

Get a clear diagnosis can help initiate advance care planning and support they need. The earlier you detect Alzheimer ‘s disease , the better chance you have treatments that could delay some symptoms. Early diagnosis also allows families to better plan the development of the disease.

When someone says a doctor about memory problems , your doctor may check your overall health , taking medication review , and conduct or evidence that assess memory, problem solving , counting and language skills . Sometimes , a brain scan ( CT scan , MRI or other tests ) can help determine whether the memory problems are caused by other conditions or Alzheimer ‘s disease .

If a doctor suspects Alzheimer possible, he or she may refer you to a specialist who can provide a detailed diagnosis , or you can choose to go to a specialist on your own. You can find specialists in clinical settings and memory , or local organizations or referral services.

Specialists include:

Geriatrician responsible for health care in old age . They know how the body changes as time passes and if symptoms indicate a serious problem.
As a specialist in geriatric mental and emotional health of older people and can evaluate the problems of memory and reflection.
Neurologists specialize in the health of the brain and central nervous system , and can realize and examine brain scans ( including CT and MRI and other tests ) .
Neuropsychologists may carry out tests of memory and thinking.

Memory clinics and specialized teams that work together to diagnose the problem . The tests are often performed in the clinic or center , which can speed up diagnosis .

Disease Education and Referral Center Alzheimer NIH provides more information about getting a diagnosis and new diagnostic methods.
Page NIH research on Alzheimer ‘ s provides a list of research facilities across the country .
External Web Resources Policy at the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer provides an overview of medical tests may be performed in your office, or to make a separate appointment .
External Disease Association Alzheimer Policy website has information on finding a doctor and doctors take measures during the medical evaluation .

 

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

The experience of each person with Alzheimer ‘s disease or dementia is different. Still, some of the symptoms are common and generally move through predictable stages , from mild to severe over the course of several years. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, difficulty finding words , general disorientation , difficulty making decisions , and changes in behavior and personality. The following links contain information on the symptoms that are associated with each step :

NIH Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center contains information on symptoms of each stage and how the disease progresses.
The National Library of Medicine , PubMed provides an overview of dementia and Alzheimer ‘s disease .

What other diseases have similar symptoms?

Memory loss or confusion may be caused by other problems , too. Sometimes these symptoms are caused by a treatable problem , as a reaction to a medicine taken by a different health problem , or even a vitamin deficiency . It is important to get the right diagnosis if treatment can focus on the right problem .

For more information on related dementias , the National Institute on Aging offers a glimpse .

Who is most at risk of developing Alzheimer ‘s disease ?

Age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer ‘s disease . The higher , the greater your risk of developing Alzheimer ‘s disease . Genetics may play a role. In rare families , some genes may cause disease. For most people who develop the disease later in life, certain genes may increase the risk, but do not cause disease .

Some studies suggest that the rate of Alzheimer ‘s disease is higher in certain racial or ethnic groups , including African Americans, and scientists are studying the possible explanations .

People with specific medical history are at greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease, including people :

Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disorders
Repeated concussions (falls , sports injuries , car accidents are common causes of concussions and TBI)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI and mild TBI)

Be at increased risk of Alzheimer ‘s disease does not necessarily mean that you will develop the disease. Scientists continue to explore the factors that may increase the chances of getting Alzheimer ‘s disease and , not least, that can protect people from developing the disease.