Getting a Handle on Alzheimer’s Disease

How early detection of Alzheimer’s disease can make a big impact on quality of life.

Your mother can’t remember where she parked her car. Or when she last paid the rent. When is forgetfulness a normal part of aging, and when is it a cause for serious concern?

“Everyone experiences occasional memory lapses,” says Neil Manering MD, PIH Health neurologist. “But, when they start to impact a person’s everyday life, it could be a sign of dementia or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.” Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects more than 6 million people in the U.S., or one in nine people over the age of 65.

Your loved ones may start to forget how to find their way back home or even their best friend’s first name. You may start to see personality changes and lack of judgment.

If you start to notice these changes in behavior or mental ability, the first thing to do is to report it to a doctor. Because 70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s live at home, getting involved and early detection is key to getting the right care and support.

"It is important to keep patients with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease stimulated and cognitively engaged but is equally important to keep them calm and minimize their stress,” says Dr. Manering. Ask your family doctor or adult day center director about Snoezelen therapy, which involves multi-sensory rooms used to stimulate the senses through light, scents and sound. The high level of stimulation helps adults who have difficulty connecting with their world. It also helps to calm older adults with dementia.

To find a doctor, go to PIHHealth.org/Doctors.

_{Copyright 2016-2023 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Health eCooks® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Cook eKitchen™ is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.}