Buckle Up For A Great Alzheimer’s Knowledge Trip

  • October 07, 2021 BY  Anthem Seniors
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World Alzheimer’s Day was observed on 21st September. This makes it fitting for us to take you through the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease- the most common form of dementia. The number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults (age 65 and older) in America is a whopping 6.2 million meaning these many people are living with Alzheimer’s in 2021. Seniors aged 75 and above account for seventy-two per cent of the cases. It is forecasted that this number will go up to 12.7 million in 2050.

An insight into the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease:

Alzheimer’s is a disease that we have all heard of but lack in-depth knowledge in other than the fact that it is characterized by cognitive impairment, slow and steady decline of mental ability, and loss of short-term memories. It is a progressive condition meaning the condition of the person deteriorates with every passing day. This is when it becomes a challenge for caregivers as they have to deal with the various behavioral disturbances that dementia brings along, such as agitation manifesting as verbal and physical aggression, wandering, hoarding and more.

The condition advances slowly and there are various stages of it. It is important that you are aware of these stages so that you are in a better place and position to support your loved one in case of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Also, taking the right action in the right stage can be instrumental in slowing Alzheimer’s from advancing.

Here are the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease to plan your older adult’s care better:

The stages vary from person to person in terms of the symptoms.

Stage 1: Normal Behavior – Unfortunately, there are no obvious symptoms at this stage.

Stage 2: Very mild changes– Signs include forgetting names or misplacing objects too often.

Stage 3: Mild changes– During this stage, changes in one’s behavior become visible. Signs include forgetting names or a recent event, repetitive questioning, having difficulty planning or thinking.

Stage 4: Moderate decline– Signs of stage 3 kind of escalate in this Alzheimer’s stage that may interfere with performing tasks of daily living. Signs include inability to recall the date or month, difficulty calculating, forgetting details about themselves (such as the school one studied in, etc.), not understanding what is being said to them.

Stage 5: Moderately severe decline– You’ll notice your loved one forgetting the time of the day, address, etc. and confusion and disorientation.

Stage 6: Severe decline– This stage is characterized by the person having problems getting dressed, self-feeding and daily activities, and may fail to recognize you or any other dear person.

Stage 7: Very severe decline– The individual in this Alzheimer’s stage completely loses control over their body meaning they are unable to sit, lie down, eat or walk. From this stage, it becomes a challenge to give all the support that the person needs without the help of professionals and often necessitates shifting the person to a memory care community.

The following activities can help with Alzheimer’s prevention:

  1. Eat healthily– Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lentils, beans, dairy products and fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna that contain the brain-healthy omega-3 fats) should make the bulk of your diet.
  2. Indulge in physical activity at least 5 times a week. Jogging, jumping rope, brisk walking, squats are good exercises for your overall health.
  3. When it comes to smoking or drinking, do it in moderation.
  4. Practice yoga, meditation, spend time with the people you love, indulge in your favorite activities and spend time in the lap of nature to efficiently deal with stress and anxiety.
  5. Take a sound sleep of at least 7-8 hours daily.

For specialized memory care for your beloved, book a suite at the award-winning Anthem Senior Living today. Call us at 602.909.9550.

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