Alzheimer's Training for Caregivers: Alzheimer's - More Than Meets the Eye

By Ethelle G. Lord, M.Ed.,DM

Alzheimer's Training for Caregivers - While it's true that Alzheimer's disease has gotten a lot more attention the last few years, that attention might be leading to some misconceptions about the disease. For example, Alzheimer's is more than just pronounced memory loss. It is a form of dementia that also includes loss of brain functioning that eventually affects every part of the body to one extent or the other. It goes without saying that there is more to it than meets the eye.

To learn more about the scope of the disease, Voxxi's John Benson interviewed Dr. Jim Leverenz of the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Leverenz is the director of the hospital's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. According to him, the subtle differences between normal memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease offer the perfect illustration of the depth of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Dr. Leverenz explained to Benson that he is not normally concerned when a patient forgets something, such as a person's name, only to remember it later on. He said that is a normal part of aging that we all go through after accumulating so much knowledge over the years. However, he does worry about a patient who comes to see him and has no idea why he is there. This seeming loss of cognition in certain situations suggests a more serious problem than just age-related memory loss.

How Alzheimer's Disease Works

Alzheimer's disease is a condition in which certain proteins buildup in the brain over time. Those proteins then damage brain cells to which they attach themselves, interrupting normal brain functioning. Unfortunately, one of the first signs of Alzheimer's is a short-term memory loss; a symptom that is easily confused with age-related memory issues.

As the disease progresses the cell damage leads to additional problems like loss of cognitive skills, deteriorating motor skills, deteriorating speech skills, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, and the eventual shutdown of vital body systems. Moreover, because Alzheimer's tends to progress so slowly, it is very difficult to cope with.

The loss of cognition Dr. Leverenz talked about maybe a sign that Alzheimer's exists and that it has progressed beyond the early stages. If that is true, it is important for family members to pay attention when an older loved one begins suffering short-term memory loss. There is reason to be concerned if that memory loss is accompanied with a loss of cognizance. Any extended and sudden short-term memory loss should always be a medical concern since a variety of health problems can and do mimic Alzheimer’s. To be certain and receive proper medical attention, do bring those concerns to your physician as soon as possible.

By the same token, there is no need to panic if you should start experiencing minor episodes of memory loss in your mid-30s or early 40s. As long as you are able to recall the information you need later on, you are likely just experiencing the normal process of aging.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease

Although science is getting closer to developing a definitive scientific test to detect the presence of Alzheimer's at its early stages, none exists as of yet. A diagnosis is made through the observation of certain symptoms and signs, which might then be confirmed via a brain scan. Early signs of possible Alzheimer’s are listed in HOW IN THE WORLD… AND NOW WHAT DO I DO? at http://AlzheimersPrimer.com  Any concern that you might be in the early stages of Alzheimer's is something that should be addressed by a doctor.

In the meantime, the search for both a definitive cause and the cure continues unabated. With every completed research study, medical science is getting closer to cracking this dreadful disease. It may be that a cure is just waiting on the horizon to be found. We certainly hope so.

At Remembering For You - Ethelle G. Lord, M.Ed.,DM has created a unique Caregiver Partnership Agreement Program that promotes inter-professionalism in organizations and changes the way long-term care is delivered. She is also a pioneer in Alzheimer's coaching having been the first to create a certification program (15-week study course) and delivered on Webinar technology so that nobody needs to leave the comfort of their office/home to take this program. Dr. Lord is also the author of HOW IN THE WORLD... AND NOW WHAT DO I DO? A Primer for Alzheimer's: 12 Major Points for Coping Better available at http://AlzheimersPrimer.com. 

Sources: Voxxi - http://voxxi.com/2014/01/17/alzheimers-disease-memory-loss/