More than 50,000 people in San Diego County have dementia, which is characterized by serious cognitive impairment, significant memory loss, confusion and behavioral changes. This is why it’s important to learn as much as possible about the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some key facts to know:
The number of people with Alzheimer’s is growing.
Alzheimer’s disease affects 5.2 million people in the United States. Most people with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 and older, and our aging population will cause these numbers to grow tremendously.
On average, Alzheimer’s progresses over roughly a decade, from onset to severe disability and death. Some cases will advance much more quickly, while others may go on for more than 15 years. Alzheimer’s gradually disrupts the “executive function” of the brain that allows people to make and remember a plan, execute it, check their work and have appropriate filters in place for interpreting new information.
Signs of the disease may be mild at first, such as forgetting recently learned information or having trouble finding a familiar location. As it progresses, the effects become increasingly severe.
For more information on Alzheimer’s and resources for caregivers, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Center at www.alz.org/care or call the 24-hour helpline at (800) 272-3900.
