Understanding and dealing with Alzheimer’s disease

Described as a neurogenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease is a condition wherein the brain cells gradually degenerate. As a result, the person inflicted might end up having memory loss and an apparent decline in cognitive performance. The first recorded case of such disease was at 1902 and it was discovered by the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer to which the said disease was named after. Currently, statistics have revealed that almost 10 percent of people aged 65 and up have this condition.

There are four stages identified in Alzheimer’s disease – each phase having a specific intensity. At first, it may start off as short-term memory loss (which is not yet diagnosed as such) which can lead to absent-mindedness then to defects in speech until the person is unable to use his or her own body to perform tasks. An unavoidable reality to this condition is that it can lead to death. It is usually the diseases that come with Alzheimer’s that cause the person’s death such as diabetes, pneumonia, or cardiac arrest. Currently, there are no proven remedies for Alzheimers – there are however methods that can help lessen the instensity of the disease. Through interventions with an expert and numerous support groups, people diagnosed with the condition can be assisted thoroughly.

If you have a loved one (especially the elderly) who has the signs of Alzheimer’s like absent mindedness, it is best to have them checked as early as possible to avoid complications and to actually prepare them and yourself for the things that may happen. This may come off as a very exhausting and demanding phase in your life so it is best to be very prepared as possible. As such condition may lead to the passing away of the person, it is a practical move to prepare for funeral services while the health is still good to save for future costs. Having that would also be a helpful investment regardless if the person is experiencing a health condition or not. More importantly, never lose the support to the person since they are going to need you the most during this phase in their life.