Alzheimer’s: A Silent Enemy

Suffering from Alzheimer’s or knowing someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s can be very hard. There are currently nearly 50 million people in the world who suffer from some form of dementia, between 60% and 70% of these are Alzheimer’s, according to WHO figures.

It is a condition that is very difficult to accept and just as difficult to deal with. People affected by Alzheimer’s suffer from a progressive decline, including abrupt changes in behavior and increased dependence.

The situation is very painful for those who suffer from dementia, because it causes periods of great confusion and deep depression.  For those around them, the disease can also be devastating,  especially as they feel helpless and exhausted as a result of caring for the person who suffers from it.

Alzheimer’s

There is currently no official cure for Alzheimer’s. Usually the diagnosis is made about five or six years after the first symptoms appear. After that, the patient will progressively deteriorate, eventually leading to death.

A person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s has an average life expectancy of 7 to 20 years from the time of diagnosis. The condition has three stages: the first involves short-term memory problems, disorientation, impaired motor skills, and some changes in behavior that may go unnoticed.

During the second stage, the deficits of memory and behavior become more apparent. The person may no longer recognize family members and may react very aggressively to others for no apparent reason.

In the last phase, the functioning decreases. The patient may forget how to use the language or become totally dependent on simple daily tasks, such as eating or using the toilet.

The family of an Alzheimer’s patient goes through complicated moments and has to make very difficult decisions. The first difficulty is the diagnosis itself, as it is a condition that manifests itself differently from person to person. While some show some typical symptoms, others don’t.

Alzheimer’s disease is often confused with deep depression, anxiety disorders or simply the aging process. In fact, the diagnosis can only be made with 100% certainty after death, by examining the brain during an autopsy. During life you can only make an assumption based on probability.

The family must also adapt to the patient’s situation.  At a certain point you have to make the decision whether you want to care for the patient at home or whether you want to have the patient admitted to a specialized institution. This involves a difficult decision with different emotions and feelings.

Yes there is hope

Alzheimer’s can be addressed so that the effect on family members is less severe and the patient maintains a reasonable quality of life. So far, the condition cannot be cured, but it can be slowed down.

Stress is known to worsen Alzheimer’s symptoms. It is therefore important to take steps to reduce anxiety in every way possible.

A good idea is to establish routines for the patient and make sure they feel safe. Established routines help to reduce stress and help the patient reduce disorientation. Routines make life easier for both the patient and the family.

If possible  , it is wise to hire a person from outside the family to help with the care. This is especially true for things like washing, dressing, feeding, and taking the medications in the right order and at the right time.

If this is not possible,  we recommend that you divide the care between the family members. If this is not possible, the healthcare provider should definitely consider the option of placing the patient in a specialized facility.

Medicines against Alzheimer’s

The good news is that there are scientists who are working hard to develop a drug against Alzheimer’s. In Australia, for example  , a treatment has been discovered that helps restore memory. The results so far have been very positive.

The American Academy of Neurology has made great strides in this area. With the drug ORM-12741, they have also had encouraging results in terms of memory recovery.

At the same time, neurologist Rodolfo Llinas, director of NASA’s Neurolab and recognized worldwide for his brain research,  claims to have found the cure for Alzheimer’s. While some question his results, the truth is that this New York University neuroscience professor says in his publications that within a decade there will be an Alzheimer’s cure that will be available to everyone.