According to the Alzheimer’s website, alz.org, an estimated 5.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
On Friday, residents at the Nelson Dotson Apartment Complex were exposed to information on the stages of Alzheimer’s and tips to help them live out their lives with the disease during the Senior Companion Program's Alzheimer's Breakfast.
Atlean Cain, home-care service provider, Quality Inhome Care Services, invited medical personnel who told the seniors that the disease usually presents itself in seven stages.
The individual may start to notice small differences by stage two, but family and friends may not pick up on anything until stage three.
By stage four, it is suggested that the affected individual no longer attempt to drive, since they are likely to be more forgetful by this time. A somewhat severe decline in their capabilities is noticeable by stage five. And at the onset of the sixth stage a person might remember faces but not names and delusions, such as thinking they need to go to work even though they no longer have a job, could also become an issue.
By the time a person reaches the last stage many of their basic abilities such as eating, walking and even sitting up, fade during that period. The residents were cautioned and advised to let their doctor know as soon as they started experiencing any differences and for those who may be responsible for caring for Alzheimer’s patients, it is important that they stay involved by feeding them soft easy-to- swallow foods and making sure they drink liquids.
In addition to information on the different stages, Anjohnette Gibbs, Mid-Delta Home Health and Hospice, outlined 10 tips for living with Alzheimer’s among which are, learn about the disease and what you can expect, plan for the future by making legal and financial decisions and, keep your body and mind active with social and physical activities.
Alzheimer’s affects all ages and the number is growing. Of the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and dementia in 2017, an estimated 5.3 million are age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 and have younger-onset Alzheimer's.
According to the site, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fifth-leading cause of death among those age 65 and older and a leading cause of disability and poor health. More than 15 million family and friends provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
