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Don't let the myths about Alzheimer Disease prevent you from learning about the disease, seeking help, and  treating people with the disease with respect
Get the facts.

Facts About
Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer Disease is not a normal part of aging - the majority of people with Alzheimer Disease are over the age of 65, though individuals have been diagnosed as young as 30 yrs.

Alzheimer Disease has absolutely no boundaries, it affects many men and women of all races, religions, ages, the rich, the poor, all different socio-economic backgrounds

To date, the cause of Alzheimer Disease is not known - there is no treatment to stop the progression of the disease

People with Alzheimer's disease are our neighbours, our fathers, our sisters, our friends. They are people who have led diverse lives. Each person who is affected by dementia is exactly that - a person.

Those in the early stages of the disease may lead very active lives with little support from others.

If you have Alzheimer's disease, you may have many questions about what is happening to you. You may want to find out more about what Alzheimer's disease is and what treatments are available. It may also be important for you to ensure that you have made plans for your future care.

Talking to others about what you are experiencing and how you are feeling will help you to deal with Alzheimer's disease and the changes that are occurring.

Dementia affects the whole family. It can bring a family together or lead to difficulties. Since we are all individuals who have our own ways of handling different circumstances, it is likely that members of a family will have different views about what is best for the person who has dementia. Though each person's view might be different, in most cases all family members want what is best for their relative. 

Listening to each other, and especially to the wishes of your relative who has Alzheimer's disease, will help you through what can be a very difficult time.

Caring for a person who has Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. If the person you are providing care for is someone you are close to, you may be experiencing a range of emotions, including:
 - Anger
 - Frustration
 - Exhaustion
 - Hopelessness
 - Grief
 - Guilt
 - Anxiety or worry

aLZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain. Symptoms include loss of memory, difficulty with day-to-day tasks, and changes in mood and behaviour. People may think these symptoms are part of normal aging but they aren't. It is important to see a doctor when you notice any of these symptoms as they may be due to other conditions such as depression, drug interactions or an infection. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer's disease, we can help.

	Inside the Brain: An Interactive Tour The Brain Tour explains how the brain works and how Alzheimer's disease affects it. Click here to start the tour...

To help you know what warning signs to look for, the Alzheimer Society has developed the following list:

Memory loss that affects day-to-day function
It's normal to occasionally forget appointments, colleagues' names or a friend's phone number and remember them later. A person with Alzheimer's disease may forget things more often and not remember them later, especially things that have happened more recently.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may leave the carrots on the stove and only remember to serve them at the end of a meal. A person with Alzheimer's disease may have trouble with tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as preparing a meal.

Problems with language
Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer's disease may forget simple words or substitute words, making her sentences difficult to understand.

Disorientation of time and place
It's normal to forget the day of the week or your destination - for a moment. But a person with Alzheimer's disease can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home.

Poor or decreased judgment
People may sometimes put off going to a doctor if they have an infection, but eventually seek medical attention. A person with Alzheimer's disease may have decreased judgment, for example not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day.

Problems with abstract thinking
From time to time, people may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as balancing a cheque book. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have significant difficulties with such tasks, for example not recognizing what the numbers in the cheque book mean.

Misplacing things
Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in inappropriate places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

Changes in mood or behaviour
Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time. Someone with Alzheimer's disease can exhibit varied mood swings - from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason.

Changes in personality
People's personalities can change somewhat with age. But a person with Alzheimer's disease can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. Changes may also include apathy, fearfulness or acting out of character.

Loss of initiative
It's normal to tire of housework, business activities or social obligations, but most people regain their initiative. A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, and require cues and prompting to become involved.

Alzheimer Disease:   Myth and Reality

Over the years, many myths have evolved about what Alzheimer Disease is, who gets it and how it affects people who have it. These myths can add to the stigma attached to the disease and stand in the way of our ability to understand and help people with it. At the Alzheimer Society, we believe the sooner we dispel the myths, the better we'll be able to respond to the reality.

Myth 1: Because someone in my family has Alzheimer Disease, I'm going to get it.
Reality: Although genetics play a role in the disease, only five to 10 per cent of cases derive from genes that cause the disease. The majority of cases have no single identifiable cause. The role of genetics continues to be studied.

Myth 2: Alzheimer Disease is only an old person's disease.
Reality: While age is the most significant known risk factor for Alzheimer Disease, not everyone will develop the disease as they age. People in their 40s and 50s can also be affected. What's most important to understand is that Alzheimer Disease is not a normal part of aging.

Myth 3: There is a cure for Alzheimer Disease.
Reality: There is no cure for Alzheimer Disease, but there are medications and other approaches that can manage some of the symptoms in some people. The good news is Alzheimer Disease researchers have made great strides and are optimistic about finding a cure.

Myth 4: Memory loss means Alzheimer Disease.
Reality: Many people have trouble with their memory, but that in itself does not mean they have Alzheimer Disease. When memory loss affects day-to-day function and is coupled with lack of judgment and reasoning, or changes in communication abilities, it's best to visit a doctor to determine the cause of the symptoms.

Myth 5: Aluminum causes Alzheimer Disease.
Reality: Although there's been a lot of research into the connection between aluminum and Alzheimer Disease, there's no conclusive evidence to show a link. The disease may develop from a combination of many risk factors, including genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors.

Myth 6: Alzheimer Disease is preventable.
Reality: Because there is no known cause for Alzheimer Disease, there is no conclusive evidence that Alzheimer Disease can be prevented. There is, however, a growing amount of evidence that lifestyle choices that keep mind and body fit may help reduce the risk. These choices include physical exercise, a healthy diet including fresh fruits, vegetables and fish, as well as keeping your brain active.

Myth 7: Vitamins, supplements and memory boosters can prevent Alzheimer Disease.
Reality: Many studies have been done to test the effectiveness of products such as vitamin E and gingko biloba in preventing Alzheimer Disease. Mostly the findings are inconclusive, however research in this area is ongoing.

Myth 8: If I'm diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease, my life is over.
Reality: Many people with the disease live meaningful, active lives. They have a sense of purpose and do not feel their lives are over. Earlier diagnosis and medications are helping. It is also important to provide appropriate surroundings, services, support and activities to people with the disease to help enrich their quality of life throughout the progression of the disease.

Myth 9: All people who have Alzheimer Disease become violent and aggressive.
Reality: Alzheimer Disease affects each person differently. For the person with Alzheimer Disease, the loss of memory and the resulting confusion is often frustrating or even frightening. By learning about the disease, adapting the person's surroundings and changing the way we communicate with the person, aggressive responses may be preventable.

Myth 10: People with Alzheimer Disease cannot understand what is going on around them.
Reality: Many people with Alzheimer Disease do understand what is going on around them; others have difficulty. Alzheimer Disease does affect a person's ability to communicate and make sense of the world around them, although it affects each person differently. When we assume someone does not understand, feelings can be hurt unintentionally. The fact is a person with Alzheimer Disease is still the same person as before and needs to be treated with dignity and respect.

For more information on Alzheimer Disease, click here

All of these emotions are normal. It is important that you take good care of yourself so that you are able to help the person you are caring for. Joining a support group of others who are also caring for a relative who has dementia or talking to someone at your local Alzheimer Society can help. To find out where a support program is happening near you, contact our office:  905-687-3914.