by Kathryn Hood

Created on: March 15, 2008   Last Updated: April 24, 2008

In 1906, a German physician, named Alois Alzheimer, began examining the difference between age related dementia and the fatal disease now known as Alzheimer's. Dementia is confusion and memory loss. Many people call it "old timer's" because as we grow older our thought processes take longer. Just as our bodies slow down, so do our mental capabilities. Short term memory loss is quite common. While it is bothersome, and irritating at times, it can be handled with techniques such as taking notes, setting up routines, and memory reinforcement exercises.

On the other hand, Alzheimer's deals with the physical aspects of memory loss. The sad truth is: Alzheimer's is a fatal disease. During the course of the disease, brain cells die and cannot be replaced. Since our brain controls our minds and our bodies, when these cells are gone our bodily functions decrease, and are finally destroyed. The body forgets how to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. People who suffer from Alzheimer's need to be bathed, dressed, fed, and changed (since they have become incontinent). Many times a feeding tube and a ventilator is needed to keep the person alive.

While watching a loved one deal with dementia is difficult, it is nothing compared to the heartache and misery that is endured when a loved one has Alzheimer's. The family literally watches as their loved one wastes away in mind, spirit, and body.

Symptoms can include...

*Repetition - Repeating the same question or comments over and over.

*Disorientation - Confusion on where they are, and how they got there. They easily become lost and cannot find their way back to their home.

*Recognition problems - Confusion on who people are. They forget people's names and/or what relationship they have with them.

*Problem Solving - Cannot make simple calculations, such as balancing a checkbook or adding numbers. Common sense solutions don't come to mind or fail to be initiated.

*Emotional Problems - Begins to have mood swings. Bouts of depression. Aggressive behavior and foul language may begin to develop.

*Loss of Interest - No longer interested in hobbies, or activities that they previously loved to do.

*Decrease in Daily Living Activities - Begins to need help in hygiene issues,

*Hallucination and Voices- Seeing things that are not there, or hearing voices when no one is around. Many times the person sees someone who has died or they have not seen in a very long time. These may be re-enactments of childhood adventures and memories,

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