“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose” –Kevin Arnold. We all have memories, good and bad, that we cherish. Imagine all of those memories slowly being taken away from you, one by one. Not only have you lost memories, but also you have lost your independence, your relationships, and the ability to care for yourself. These are all things that happen to a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. (Dementias, Including Alzheimer 's disease, 2015) There are multitudes of people affected by this disease.
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“Probable” AD is diagnosed through taking a complete medical history, physical exam, extensive lab work, brain scans, and neuro-psychological tests that gauge memory, attention, language skills, and problem solving abilities. AD typically progresses over two to twenty years, and individuals live on average for eight to ten years after their diagnosis (Dementias, Including Alzheimer 's Disease, 2015). AD affects individuals in different ways and at different paces, but the disease always progresses in seven stages. The first stage is when the changes begin in the brain, but there are no memory problems experienced by the patient. The second stage is a very mild cognitive decline. A patient may forget minor details or lose ordinary everyday objects like keys or glasses, but these symptoms are generally not noticeable to family and friends. The third stage is a mild cognitive decline. Family and friends may begin to notice problems and the symptoms will probably be evident in a medical exam. A patient can experience trouble finding words, remembering names, and planning or organizing activities. The fourth stage is a moderate cognitive decline. A patient may appear withdrawn in social situations, have trouble with mental math, and have reduced memory of personal history. The fifth stage is a moderately severe cognitive decline. A patient begins to need assistance with daily activities like getting dressed and going to the bathroom. They generally remember who they are, but have trouble remembering the names of friends and close family. The sixth stage is a severe cognitive decline. The patient begins to exhibit signs of confusion and requires extensive help with daily activities. They have a change in personality and may start to experience delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and repetitive behavior. The seventh stage is the last stage and
“Probable” AD is diagnosed through taking a complete medical history, physical exam, extensive lab work, brain scans, and neuro-psychological tests that gauge memory, attention, language skills, and problem solving abilities. AD typically progresses over two to twenty years, and individuals live on average for eight to ten years after their diagnosis (Dementias, Including Alzheimer 's Disease, 2015). AD affects individuals in different ways and at different paces, but the disease always progresses in seven stages. The first stage is when the changes begin in the brain, but there are no memory problems experienced by the patient. The second stage is a very mild cognitive decline. A patient may forget minor details or lose ordinary everyday objects like keys or glasses, but these symptoms are generally not noticeable to family and friends. The third stage is a mild cognitive decline. Family and friends may begin to notice problems and the symptoms will probably be evident in a medical exam. A patient can experience trouble finding words, remembering names, and planning or organizing activities. The fourth stage is a moderate cognitive decline. A patient may appear withdrawn in social situations, have trouble with mental math, and have reduced memory of personal history. The fifth stage is a moderately severe cognitive decline. A patient begins to need assistance with daily activities like getting dressed and going to the bathroom. They generally remember who they are, but have trouble remembering the names of friends and close family. The sixth stage is a severe cognitive decline. The patient begins to exhibit signs of confusion and requires extensive help with daily activities. They have a change in personality and may start to experience delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and repetitive behavior. The seventh stage is the last stage and