Facts to Know

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1. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease responsible for the majority of cases of dementia in older people. Hallmark signs of AD include memory loss, confusion, poor judgment, wandering and depression or an indifferent attitude.

2. The older someone gets, the more likely he or she is to acquire AD. One in 10 people over the age of 65 has Alzheimer's, and it's estimated that half the people in the United States older than 85 have AD. A small percentage of people as young as their 30s and 40s get the disease.

3. There is some evidence that women may be at greater risk for developing AD; certainly the fact that women live longer than men puts women at higher risk for AD. More evidence is showing that genes are likely to play a role in determining who develops AD.

4. What causes Alzheimer's is unknown, and so far there is no cure for the disease. However, scientists are working hard to find the cause of AD, and some drug therapies benefit individuals with the disease. There are many effective strategies that caregivers can use to ease the burdens of the disease.

5. Some of the warning signs for Alzheimer's include the following:

   • memory loss

   • trouble performing everyday tasks

   • difficulty with language

   • disorientation

   • decreased good judgment

   • problems with abstract thinking

   • misplacing things regularly in inappropriate places

   • significant changes in mood or behavior

   • personality changes

   • loss of drive or initiative

6. Health care professionals typically use a step-by-step process to determine if you or someone you know has AD. In some instances, some of the early symptoms can be attributed to other problems, such as fatigue, grief, depression, illness, vision or hearing loss or interactions between medications. A mental status evaluation, a comprehensive physical examination, neurological tests, and discussions with family members about changes in behavior and mood all are part of the diagnostic process for Alzheimer's disease.

7. Despite the fact there is no cure for the disease, health care professionals can help relieve some of the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of AD with a small arsenal of medical treatments.

8. Major risk factors for AD are believed to be age-related. Other potential risk factors include a severe head injury and genetic factors. There is some evidence that environmental and dietary factors may be involved.

9. There is no set pattern as to how the disease will progress in each person who acquires it. Some may have the disease for three to five years at the end of their lives, while others might have AD for a decade or two, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

10. Local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association provide information and referrals to support groups that can help you develop short- and long-term planning for managing the disease.