THE MEMORY CHECKLIST Answer the questions below to help find out if the memory problems of the person you care for could be symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Your answers do not mean the person you have answered for has a disease such as Alzheimer's. But 5 or more "Yes" answers suggest memory problems that may interfere with daily life. You should see the doctor. Does the person you care for: 1. Often repeat himself/herself or ask □ Yes □ No □ Don't know the same questions over and over? 2. Seem more forgetful, that is, have □…
o Would you want the following medical treatments? Kidney Dialysis (if kidneys not working) CPR (used if heart stops working) Respirator (unable to breathe) Artificial nutrition (unable to eat food) Artificial hydration (unable to drink fluids) o Imagine that you are in a permanent coma and dependent on a feeding tube. Would your medical decisions be guided by any particular religious beliefs or spiritual values? o Are some conditions worse than death? If you are housebound, in severe discomfort or pain most of the time, would you want medical treatments to keep you alive? o Discuss your…
A health care agent is a person you appoint to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated or unable to make any decisions. A Living Will (Advanced Directive) expresses your wishes about your health care including, but not limited to, resuscitation, life sustaining treatments (respirator, feeding tube, etc.) and withholding / withdrawing of life sustaining treatments. The Living Will is only effective when you are terminally ill or unconscious and unable to communicate your wishes. When it comes to making decisions regarding end of life issues, do you know your wishes or have you communicated those wishes…
Share everything with your doctor. This is not the time to a martyr. Be open and honest in answering any questions your doctor may ask you about the changes you’ve been experiencing. Some of the questions the doctor may ask, are the following: Has your health, memory or mood changed? How did it change? When did you first notice the change? How often does it happen? When does it happen? Is it always at a certain time of day? What do you do when it happens? What behaviors are the same? Do you have problems with any of the following?…
The Alzheimer’s Association developed a publication called Tools for Early Identification, Assessment and Treatment for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia the following is ten warning signs. For individuals with several of these symptoms they should see a physician for a complete examination. 1. Memory loss. One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information. While it’s normal to forget appointments, names, or telephone numbers, those with dementia will forget such things more often and not remember them later. 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday…
Beta-amyloid is the chief component of plaques, one hallmark Alzheimer brain abnormality. Scientists now have a detailed understanding of how this protein fragment is clipped from its parent compound amyloid precursor protein (APP) by two enzymes — beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. Researchers are developing medications aimed at virtually every point in amyloid processing. This includes blocking activity of both enzymes; preventing the beta-amyloid fragments from clumping into plaques; and even using antibodies against beta-amyloid to clear it from the brain. Several clinical trials of investigational drugs targeting beta-amyloid are included below in the key clinical trial summaries. For more information watch…
Currently, there are five FDA-approved Alzheimer drugs that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's — temporarily helping memory and thinking problems in about half of the people who take them. But these medications do not treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer's. In contrast, many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process itself, by impacting one or more of the many wide-ranging brain changes that Alzheimer's causes. These changes offer potential "targets" for new drugs to stop or slow the progress of the disease. Many researchers believe successful treatment will eventually involve a "cocktail" of medications aimed…
Dr. Kenneth Kosik, Professor of Neuroscience at UCSB, explains the characteristics of Alzheimer's to Digital Journalist Megan Kelty and what preventative steps you can start taking today to fight this incurable disease. To watch the video.
Hospice is a very valuable service and should be ordered at an earlier stage of illness. Many do not consider hospice for Alzheimer’s, degenerative old age or other debilitating illnesses where a person is going downhill fast. They should. It is unfortunate that many people who died in a hospital emergency room or who received heroic treatments to prolong life in a hospital may have had the alternative of dying at home in familiar surroundings, with family or other loved ones at their side. When someone is in crisis or appears to be going downhill fast but there really is…
With newly elected leaders in Congress, they need to know about the Alzheimer epidemic. We need passionate Alzheimer advocates to come to Washington, D.C., to lend their VOICE to the cause. Be in the nation’s capital May 15-17, 2011, for the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum – become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda. Online registration is now available here. 2010 proved to be an outstanding year for Alzheimer advocacy: The historic passage and signing of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act…
Frederick, MD 
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