Shelly Young

1
Understanding MemoryLoss

• By
• Shelly Young
• Education Coordinator
• Alzheimers Association
• North Central Texas Chapter

2
Program Objectives

• Become familiar with the following terms
• Memory loss, dementia and Alzheimers
• Determine when memory loss is a warning sign
• Identify resources to improve quality of life

3
Memory Loss

• The National Institutes of Health defines memory
  loss as unusual forgetfulness that can be caused
  by brain damage due to
• disease
• injury
• severe emotional trauma

4
Dementia

• Dementia is a general term for the loss of
  memory and other intellectual abilities serious
  enough to interfere with daily activities.

5
Types of Dementia

• Alzheimers gt 60
• Vascular Dementia gt 10- 20
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies gt 10- 20
  and other brain diseases
• Mixed - AD and Vascular gt 15 20

6
Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimers

• Alzheimers is a type of dementia
• Alzheimers is a disease that destroys the brain
  cells and functions of the brain
• Alzheimers is not a mental illness
• There is no cure for Alzheimers disease at the
  present time

7
Vascular Dementia

• Refers to impairment caused by reduced blood flow
  to parts of the brain.
• Develops after a single major stroke blocks blood
  flow to large area of brain tissue
• Series of very small strokes clog tiny arteries
• Individually minor, but over time become a major
  problem

8
Vascular Dementia

• Symptoms similar to Alzheimers disease
• Memory problems
• Confusion
• Difficulty following instructions
• Often occurs in steps rather than slow, steady
  decline like Alzheimers

9
Dementia with Lewy Bodies

• Often starts with wide variations in attention
  and alertness
• Often experience visual hallucinations
• Muscle rigidity and tremors similar to those
  associated with Parkinsons disease

10
Mixed Dementia

• Condition in which Alzheimers disease and
  vascular dementia occur together
• Some experts believe this combination is very
  common

11
Alzheimers Disease

• Alzheimers is a disease of the brain that causes
  problems with memory, thinking and behavior
• It is a progressive, degenerative disease of the
  brain
• It is not a mental illness
• It is not a natural part of aging

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Risk Factors for Alzheimers

• No single cause has been identified
• Much research is being done
• Greatest known risk factor is increasing age
• Another risk factor is family history
• Parent, sibling with the disease

13
Alzheimers Disease vs. Normal Aging

• Normal
• Forgets part of the experience
• Often remembers later
• Usually able to follow written/spoken directions
• Usually able to use notes as reminders
• Usually can care for self

• Alzheimers
• Forgets the entire experience
• Rarely remembers later
• Gradually unable to follow written/spoken
  directions
• Gradually unable to use notes as reminders
• Gradually unable to care for self

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10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers Disease

• Memory loss
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation to time and place
• Poor or decreased judgment

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10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers Disease

1. Problems with abstract thinking
2. Misplacing things
3. Changes in mood or behavior
4. Changes in personality
5. Loss of initiative

16
Brain Facts

• Your brain is your most powerful organ
• It weighs only three pounds
• The texture is similar to firm jelly

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Cross Section of Brain
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PET Scan Normal Brain
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PET SCAN Alzheimers Brain
20
Plaques and Tangles
21
Finding a Diagnosis

• Medical History
• Mental Status Evaluation
• Physical Exam
• Neurological Exam
• EEG,CT, Pet scans
• Laboratory tests
• Blood, urine samples
• Psychological evaluations

22
Importance of Diagnosis

• It may not be Alzheimers disease
• An accurate diagnosis will lead to appropriate
  treatment.
• Other disorders may at first look like
  Alzheimers and yet be something very different.

23
Importance of Early Diagnosis

• Allows more time to plan for future
• Regarding care
• Living arrangements
• Financial and legal issues
• Doctor can prescribe medications which may slow
  progression of symptoms of the disease

24
Stages of Alzheimers

• Experts have developed stages to describe how a
  persons abilities change
• However
• not everyone will experience every symptom
• symptoms may occur at different times in
  different individuals

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Stage 1

• The person does not experience any memory
  problems
• No evidence of symptoms during interview with a
  medical professional

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Stage 2

• Very mild decline
• Individual may detect memory lapses
• Again no symptoms detected by medical exam
• May be normal age-related change

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Stage 3

• Mild cognitive decline
• During a detailed medical interview doctor may be
  able to detect problems in memory or concentration

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Stage 4

• Moderate cognitive decline
• Careful medical interview should be able to
  detect problems
• Forget recent events
• Greater difficulty performing complex tasks
• Impaired ability to perform challenging mental
  arithmetic

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Stage 5

• Moderately severe cognitive decline
• Gaps in memory or thinking noticeable
• May need help with day-to-day activities
• Unable to recall address or phone number
• Become confused where they are
• Still remember significant details about
  themselves and their family

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Stage 6

• Severe cognitive decline
• Person may
• Need help dressing
• Experience major changes in sleep patterns
• Increasing trouble controlling bladder or bowels
• Distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces but
  have trouble remembering name of caregiver or
  spouse

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Stage 7

• Very severe cognitive decline
• Lose ability to respond to the environment
• Individuals need help with much of their daily
  personal care

32
Hope for the future

• New insights are expected in the next 12 to 18
  months
• Better ways to diagnosis Alzheimers Disease
• Results from large-scale trials of drugs that
  will further slow or stop the progression of AD

33
Resources For Caregivers

• Call
• 2-1-1 throughout Texas. Provides information and
  access to health and human service information
  for all ages
• 1-800-252-9240 to find local Texas Area Agency on
  Aging
• 1-800-677-1116 - Elder Care Locator to find help
  throughout the United States
• Online
• Family Caregivers Online www.familycaregiversonlin
  e.net
• Online education, resources, links, frequently
  asked questions
• Benefits Check-up www.benefitscheckup.org for an
  online way to determine benefits for which
  someone qualifies.
• To schedule a caregiver presentation for your
  church, business, library, civic group, or other
  location, call your local area agency on aging or
  send an email from www.familycaregiversonline.net

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What Assistance is Available Through the Area
Agency on Aging (AAA)?

• Services for persons age 60 and older
• Benefits counseling
• Ombudsman - advocacy for those who live in
  nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Home delivered meals
• Congregate meals
• Light housekeeping

• Caregiver Services
• Information and referral
• Caregiver education and training
• Caregiver respite
• Caregiver support coordination
• Case management
• Transportation assistance