Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a physical brain condition resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. It disrupts the brain’s neurons, affecting how they work and communicate with each other. A decrease of important chemicals stops messages travelling normally through the brain. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience different challenges and changes throughout the progression of the condition. An individual’s abilities deteriorate over time, although the progression varies from person to person.

Symptoms may include:

• persistent and frequent short-term memory loss, especially recalling more recent events
• repeatedly saying the same thing
• vagueness in everyday conversation
• changes in ability to plan, problem solve, organise and think logically
• taking longer to do routine tasks
• language and comprehension difficulties, such as problems finding the right word
• increasing disorientation in time, place and person
• problems in becoming motivated and initiating tasks
• changes in behaviour, personality and mood.

Someone experiencing symptoms may be unable to recognise any changes in themselves. Often a family member or friend of someone affected will observe changes in a person. Symptoms vary as the condition progresses and as different areas of the brain are affected. A person’s abilities may fluctuate from day to day, or even within the same day. Symptoms can worsen in times of stress, fatigue or ill-health.

Reference and for more information: dementia.org.au