Our rapidly aging population means that more and more people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer s and other dementias in the next 20 years.

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1 Only 1% of people aged 65 years old have Alzheimer s. 10% of people aged 75 years old have Alzheimer s. 20% of people aged 85 years old have Alzheimer s. Our rapidly aging population means that more and more people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer s and other dementias in the next 20 years. PET Scan of Normal Brain PET Scan of Brain of individual with Alzheimer s Disease Areas of high brain activity Areas of low brain activity

2 Other Conditions Mimic Dementia: - drugs, delirium - emotions (depression)/endocrine - metabolic disturbances - eye and ear impairments - nutritional disorders - tumors, toxicity, trauma to head - infections, diseases - alcohol, arteriosclerosis

3 Normal Signs of Aging Making a bad decision once in a while Missing a monthly payment Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later Sometimes forgetting which word to use Losing things from time to time Independence in daily activities preserved May have to pause momentarily to remember way Able to operate common appliances even if unwilling to learn new devices Maintains prior level of social skills Signs of Dementia Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time Consistent problems taking care of monthly bills Losing track of the date or time of the year Trouble having a conversation Misplacing things often and being unable to find them Person becomes dependent on others for key independent living activities Gets lost in familiar territory walking or driving, may take hours to return home Unable to operate common appliances or learn to operate even simple new ones Exhibits loss of interest in social activities or socially inappropriate behaviors

4 Risk Factors Age Family history and genetics Others: Head injury Heart disease & risk factors Unhealthy diet Not staying socially active Tobacco use & excess alcohol consumption Not exercising both body and mind Early Diagnosis Doctors can rule out other conditions. Families have more time to plan and prepare. The patient can be included in the discussion. Treatments can start earlier, when they may be more effective.

5 Signs of Alzheimer s Disease Signs of mild Alzheimer s: Memory loss & confusion Trouble handling money Poor judgment Mood changes Increased anxiety Signs of moderate Alzheimer s: Memory loss & confusion Problems recognizing people Difficulty with language & thoughts Restlessness & agitation Wandering Repetitive statements Medications for Alzheimer s Drugs used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer s symptoms: Aricept Exelon Razadyne Drugs used to treat severe Alzheimer s symptoms: Namenda

6 Caregiving Stay calm and be understanding. Be patient and flexible. Don t argue or try to convince. Acknowledge requests and respond to them. Try not to take behaviors personally. Remember: it s the disease talking, not your loved one. Take Care Of Yourself Take time for you spend time with friends, keep up with hobbies/interests Know your limits Take breaks each day and ask for help when you need it Stick to a routine, use timers and reminders Get enough sleep Join a caregiver s support group Keep up with hobbies and interests Eat healthy and exercise See your doctor regularly Keep your health, legal and financial information up-to-date

7 Strategies To Maintain A Healthy Brain Maintain a healthy cardiovascular system Get physical exercise Low fat/low cholesterol diet Challenge your brain Connect with others Contact Protect your brain Get enough sleep Treat depression Maintain a positive attitude Make an action plan Phone: for more information or to request an educational session at your next meeting, club, or gathering!

8 Resources Wisconsin Alzheimer s Disease Research Center Alzheimer s Disease Education & Referral Center These materials were created by the Wisconsin Women s Health Foundation for the GrapeVine Project unit The Healthy Aging Brain l wwhf.org