Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Learn about the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and factors that can put someone at risk of developing it. We also look at treatments and support currently available for the condition.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia develops when the brain is damaged by diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. It is named after Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who first described it.
Causes of Alzheimer’s disease
The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that connect to each other. In Alzheimer’s disease, connections between these cells are lost. This is because proteins build up and form abnormal structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost.
The brain also contains important chemicals that help to send signals between cells. People with Alzheimer’s have less of some of these ‘chemical messengers’ in their brain, so the signals are not passed on as well. There are some drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that can help boost the levels of some chemical messengers in the brain. This can help with some of the symptoms.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. This means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, more symptoms develop, and they also get worse.
More than 520,000 people in the UK have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and this figure is set to rise.
When is World Alzheimer’s Day?
World Alzheimer’s Day takes place every year on 21 September. It is the focus of World Alzheimer’s Month during the month of September.
Why is World Alzheimer’s Month so important?
Dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. To tackle this global dementia challenge we need to work together, and to collaborate and share best practice with one another.
How did we celebrate the day in Ashbrook Nursing Home?
For world dementia day Ashbrook Nursing Home offered coffee/ tea morning with cake. The residents really enjoyed being outside in the lovely sunshine selling cake and tea for a donation towards dementia.
