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One of the main causes of dementia and of growing concern for our aging population is the onset of Alzheimer's Disease, a brain disease that afflicts 5 million Americans and over 24 million worldwide. It primarily affects people over the age of 65, but earlier onset is not unheard of. It is a progressive disease and eventually fatal.

While the exact symptoms and rate of onset can differ greatly, there are some signs that can help in early diagnosis and treatment. There is presently no cure for the disease but there are treatments that can slow and help manage the symptoms. Early diagnosis not only provides early treatment but also gives the family time to plan for the future and manage care for their loved one.

Early signs

Onset of the disease can be so gradual that they go unnoticed by family members who think that little lapses in memory are normal for an elderly person. Gradually though, the memory loss will become more pronounced, especially for recently learned information and the person will have trouble remembering names or how to do simple tasks such as writing a check, making a phone call or the steps necessary to prepare a simple meal.

They may have trouble with disorientation of time and place and may go on a simple trip to the grocery store and forget how to get home. They may have mood swings, sudden fits of anger and changes to their personality. Their judgment will slowly deteriorate and they will have trouble with complex mental tasks. They also may lose their desire for activity and just sit in front of the TV for hours or sleep more than normal. As these symptoms display themselves, it is important to take them in for a checkup and have the doctor give them a thorough examination looking for Alzheimer's Disease.

Progression

The progression from the early to advanced stages can take anywhere from 5 to 20 years and the disease can plateau for a period at any given stage where it seems like the patient is doing well and holding their own but then they will go through a period of noticeable decline.

As the disease progresses, the memory lapses will get worse. They will forget the names of close family members. They may forget their own address or phone number or become confused about where they are, the time, date or season of the year.

Eventually, the afflicted person will lose their capacity to care for themselves entirely and will need full time care. They won't be able to dress themselves and will need help with tasks such as eating and going to the

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