November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. About 6.7 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive form of dementia that eventually impairs a person’s ability to perform simple daily tasks. Kelly O’Dell, director of the Senior Care Unit at Aultman Alliance Community Hospital, discusses characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease and how family caregivers can cope.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a specific set of symptoms that may inhibit a person’s ability to perform activities of normal living. These include deficits in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills.

Alzheimer’s disease is a cause of dementia characterized by specific physical changes in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease, we see an excessive buildup of protein and protein fragments, as well as neuron damage or destruction. These proteins show up as plaques and tau tangles in various imaging such as PET scans and MRIs.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. This means that over time, the symptoms worsen. It most often affects individuals over the age of 60.

How the disease progresses and what abilities are affected can vary from person to person. In the early stage, the individual may continue to drive, work and carry out their normal activities of daily living with minimal assistance from family or friends. The individual may have a difficult time remembering recent events or the names of people they know.

Often, they are aware of their cognitive decline and will attempt to fill in the gaps in their memory. The first areas of the brain often damaged are those responsible for memory, language and thinking capabilities. Over time, more neurons and areas of the brain are damaged, resulting in more need for assistance in completing everyday activities.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include changes in mood, personality or behavior. The individual may begin to wander. They may attempt to reach a destination with intent but are unable to retrace their steps and become lost.

As the disease progresses, the patient may lose basic physical functions such as mobility, eating, drinking, combing their hair or brushing their teeth. The decline in mental and physical abilities means they will often require more assistance than loved ones can provide.

Family history, age and genetics are risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease that cannot be changed. However, a nutritious diet, physical exercise and socially and mentally stimulating activities may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Family members caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can experience significant physical, emotional and financial costs. Being well-informed about the disease is one long-term strategy to help caregivers manage these challenges.

Developing a strong support system and respite care plan may also lighten the emotional burdens of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Support groups provide caregivers with an opportunity to find respite, voice concerns, share experiences and receive emotional support. Many support groups will include the person with early Alzheimer’s and the caregivers.

Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website for information on support groups for caregivers in eastern Ohio.