Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a brain condition that affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
• Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
• The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, but Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.
• Most people living with Alzheimer’s disease are older than 65 years. However, people younger than age 65 can develop Alzheimer’s disease, but it is not common.
• Scientists do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease. However, like other chronic conditions, it is probably a result of multiple factors.
• Controlling high blood pressure, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

When is memory loss more than forgetfulness?

Although everyone’s brain changes as they age, it’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Memory loss is typically one of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, but occasionally forgetting words or names does not mean a person has Alzheimer’s. There are other signs that someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience in addition to memory problems. In the early stages of the disease, these can include:

• Getting lost in familiar places.
• Having trouble handling money and paying bills.
• Repeating questions.
• Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks.
• Displaying poor judgment.
• Losing things or misplacing them in odd places.
• Displaying mood and personality changes

Source: CDC