June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Worcester, Mass. – Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease of the brain resulting in memory loss, impaired thinking, and personality changes. Brain damages influence the way people act and react. As your memory begins fails, emotional and behavioral problems may soar. Not everyone with the disease exhibits behavioral problems, but these problems are a common indication of the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association lists ten warning signs of the disease:

1. Recent memory loss affecting job skills
2. Difficulty accomplishing familiar tasks
3. Struggling with finding the right word
4. Disorientation to place and time
5. Poor judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing items
8. Altered mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

“If several family members have been suffering with the disease, it might be genetic factor—although it could be a result of a dozen other conditions,” explains Gary Keilson, MD, Chief of Neurology at Saint Vincent Hospital.

It is extremely important for anyone experiencing changes/impairments in memory, cognitive, or behavioral patterns to get a thorough physical and neurological evaluation. There is no individual test for Alzheimer’s but the best approach is to undergo a series of tests to exclude other conditions.

“There are many benefits to the evaluation. No one should suffer needlessly. With the onset of dementia, every attempt should be made to determine the cause. Cognitive impairment could result from depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems and other hormone disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and systemic illnesses that can possibly be reversed or halted if diagnosed and treated early,” says Dr. Keilson.

Regardless of the final diagnosis, emphasis should focus on making the most of the individual’s remaining capabilities, he advises. With a little planning, it may be possible to maximize the quality of a person’s life.

The majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. Those with Alzheimer's disease typically live anywhere from five to 20 years after the diagnosis. Diseases of this type lead to a slow deterioration and breakdown of the human body. It is understandable why people often refer to this process as the "long good bye.” Although the person may physically look the same as the disease progresses from early to middle stages, the very essence of the person slowly starts to disconnect and drift away.

Dr. Keilson recommends to find out what services are available in the community and make a pact with each family member to accept outside help when the responsibility becomes too much to manage. “Far too many families have ended up in a crisis situation because they insisted on providing care in isolation. Introduce services slowly, adding to the care plan when the need increases,” he says.

For information on neurology services at Saint Vincent Hospital, visit here. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease or to find help and support for a loved one in your community, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at https://www.alz.org/manh.