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Alzheimer's Disease Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. My parent/spouse has been diagnosed with dementia, not Alzheimer's Disease.
A. Dementia is the loss of ability to think and reason clearly. The person's memory is no longer sharp; has difficulty performing tasks; and has poor judgment.
There are over 70 forms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the most common. It is important to get a complete diagnostic work-up to determine the cause of the dementia.
Alzheimer's disease destroys nerve cells that control the ability of the brain to function. It is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain.
Q. How do you know if it is Alzheimer's disease?
A. Here are the warning signs you should know:
- Recent memory loss that effects job skills
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation of time and place
- Poor or decreased judgement
- Problems with abstract thinking
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in personality
- Loss of initiative
If you suspect Alzheimer's disease you should contact your physician or call the Alzheimer's Association for a list of diagnostic centers and the brochure "Steps to Getting a Diagnosis."
Q. Everyone gets Alzheimer's disease when they get old; it's normal, right?
A. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It mainly affects people over the age of 65. One out of two people 85 years and older have Alzheimer's disease; however, you do not have to be old to have it. Some people are diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's disease in there 30s, 40s, or 50s.
Q. Is there anything a person can do or take to prevent Alzheimer's disease?
A. Currently, no medications exist to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Potential risk factors being studied are low levels of education, head injury, and high blood pressure. Recent studies show that higher education levels and a reduced risk of head injury may make Alzheimer's disease less likely. Also, because there may be an interaction between blood vessel problems in the brain and Alzheimer's disease, controlling blood pressure may help reduce the risk of blood clots that may destroy nerve cell function. A healthy lifestyle is considered the best preventative measure people can take against AD.
Q. Can ginkgo biloba help with the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease?
A. Ginkgo biloba produces a very mild memory improvement. A study published in the Oct. 22/29, 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that the drug has a modest positive effect in persons with AD. Additional studies are being conducted on this treatment option.
Q. Does Vitamin E help? If so, what is the recommended dosage?
A. Vitamin E was shown to slow the progression of AD by 25 percent, according to a study published in the April 24, 1997 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine . In the study, 2,000 International Units (IUs) of Vitamin E were taken for two years to delay the clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin E is 30 IUs per day. Because the vitamin may be associated with increased bleeding in individuals with risk factors for these problems, all decisions regarding medications or vitamin supplements should be discussed with a physician.
Q. What drugs should not be taken with donepezil (Aricept)?
A. Donepezil has been shown to interact with very few other drugs. However, it should not be taken with other cholinesterase inhibitors such as tacrine (Cognex) or with anticholinergic drugs, such as trihexyphenidyl HCl (Artane) and benztropine meyslate (Cogentin), that fight the effects of deonepezil. Interactions with other drugs that have anticholinergic side effects, such as amitriptyline or thorazine, should also be avoided.
Q. Persons with dementia are at an increased risk for depression. What are some of the "new" antidepressants and antipsychotics, and how are they more helpful than "older," more conventional drugs?
A. The "new" antidepressants belong to a class of drugs known as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This class includes sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and citalopram (Celexa). These drugs have fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants. Fluvoxamine and citalopram have been studied in individuals with dementia and have been shown to relieve depressive symptoms. Antipsychotics include risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and quetiapine (Seroquel). These agents are less likely to induce side effects such as Parkinsonism and abnormal muscle movement than traditional antipsychotic drugs like haloperidol (Haldol).
Q. What is the Connecticut Chapter and what do they do?
A. The Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut is part of a network of chapters nationwide. The Alzheimer's Association works under a structure divided into five services; Information and Referral (24/7 Helpline), Care Consultation, Education, Support Groups, and Safe Return. These five categories are known as "Core Services." The Chapter can help families through the following services and programs:
Helpline: A toll-free, multi-lingual telephone service operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that offers emotional support to callers and provides information about Alzheimer's disease, chapter services and community resources.
Support groups: Approximately 100 in CT provide free regular meetings for caregivers providing information and emotional support
Respite care: Designed to give the caregiver relief both the chapter and CT State Respite program provide limited financial assistance to include such services as: adult day care, in-home care or short-term nursing home care.
Safe Return Program: A national Alzheimer's Association program designed to identify, locate and return memory-impaired individuals to safety.
Educational Information: Information is available on a variety of topics related to dementia.A lending print and video library is available.
Public Education: A Speaker's Bureau made up of volunteers who speak on a wide variety of topics related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Conferences and Training: The Chapter sponsors a variety of educational opportunities for professionals and family caregivers including an annual educational conference.
Advocacy: The Chapter lobbies for persons with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers through participation in legislative and regulatory initiatives at the local, state and federal levels.
Newsletter: A quarterly newsletter provides information to professionals and family caregivers.
Train the Trainer: Building Creative Caregivers: a training program for health care facilities.
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