You’ve heard the expression, “You can’t believe everything you hear,” and educating yourself about Alzheimer’s disease and the similar symptoms of depression are important measures to experience the best health outcomes for yourself or a loved one. There’s so much information available regarding Alzheimer’s disease, but how do you separate fact from fiction? How do you separate rumor from truth? The following are myths that are commonly believed regarding Alzheimer’s disease and the actual truths to refute them:
MYTH: Mom can’t have Alzheimer’s—she remembers all kinds of things.
Alzheimer’s disease affects newly learned information or recent memories first. Memories of the more distant past—including arcane details such as names and places—may endure for some time. The majority of longer-held memories don’t typically erode noticeably until the middle stages of the disease. That’s why someone recently diagnosed can often recall things in the past quite well.
MYTH: Alzheimer’s only affects the elderly.
It is true that the vast majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease are older than 65, including half of all people older than 85. In fact, according to the National Institute on Aging, for each five-year span beyond 65, the percentage of people with the disease doubles. But a particularly rare form of the disease, early-onset Alzheimer’s, can affect adults as young as their 30s, although most commonly it affects adults in their 50s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease accounts for only between 5 and 10 percent of the more than 4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s.
MYTH: Most people with Alzheimer’s are oblivious to their symptoms.
Typically someone in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease does realize, at least part of the time, that something is wrong. Most people with the disorder are aware that they’re experiencing memory lapses for example, or that they’re starting to have trouble doing certain familiar tasks (following a favorite card game, cooking a particular recipe). Insight varies by individual, and the degree of awareness can shift from day to day. As the disease progresses and symptoms worsen, awareness of the situation is likely to decline.
If a medical diagnosis shows a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, know that you can come to Independence 4 Seniors for assistance when care is needed. Our caregivers are well trained and know how to work with someone who has memory impairment. Call us today at (630) 323-4665.
Tips courtesy of www.Caring.com