What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It causes problems with your:

• memory
• thinking
• behaviour

While Alzheimer's disease is more common in older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.

Alzheimer's disease usually happens after 65 years of age. Its cause is not fully understood.

There is a rare form of Alzheimer's disease called Familial Alzheimer's disease. This is caused by a very rare genetic condition. Symptoms usually appear in people in their 50s. It is also known as ‘younger onset dementia'.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Early on, Alzheimer's disease may be hard to notice. The first signs are usually trouble remembering recent events and difficulty finding the right words for everyday things.

However, many people have trouble with memory but don't have Alzheimer's disease. It's important to visit a doctor to work out the exact cause of any memory problems.

Other common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are:

• getting lost or confused easily
• forgetting how to do everyday things like shopping or preparing meals
• having trouble sleeping
• not being able to recognise close people — even close family

The changes in your brain might make it appear as though your personality has changed. You might:

• be moody or agitated
• wander off
• have trouble talking
• have delusions or hallucinations (such as hearing or seeing things that don't exist)
• become aggressive

People with Alzheimer's disease may also experience sundowning. This is when your symptoms get worse towards the end of the day, and you may become more restless, confused, anxious and insecure.

What are the stages of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease can be classified into 3 stages, based on the severity of symptoms:

1. Mild Alzheimer's disease — early signs of dementia, usually no extra support is needed.
2. Moderate Alzheimer's disease — symptoms are stronger and you are likely to need help with daily tasks.
3. Advanced Alzheimer's disease — is the final stage of the illness. You will need care in all daily activities.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Your brain contains millions of neurons (brain cells). These cells organise how the brain stores memories, learns habits and shapes our personality. Signals pass along the connections between brain cells in the form of chemicals called neurotransmitters.

In people with Alzheimer's disease, proteins affect the way your neurons (brain cells) communicate.

These proteins are:

• amyloid plaques — which form on your neurons
• neurofibrillary tangles — which form inside your neurons

These proteins stop your brain cells from passing signals properly. The neurons eventually die and cause shrinking in the cortex (the outer layer of the brain). The cortex is vital to memory, language and judgement.

Scientists are unsure of what triggers the formation of the plaques and tangles in Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers have identified several genes that increase your chance of developing Alzheimer's disease.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you are worried that you have early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

They might find another cause for the changes that can be treated. If you do have Alzheimer's disease, they can help you manage it in its early stages.

How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed?

Unfortunately, there is no single test that can confirm Alzheimer's disease.

Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and your medical history. They may also want to give you a full physical examination. They may arrange for you to have:

• cognitive tests to check your memory and thinking
• urine tests
• blood tests
• medical imaging tests, such as an MRI scan of your brain

Read more about the tests used in diagnosing dementia.

An early diagnosis allows you to plan for your future. You can start to talk about the medical treatment and further assistance you will need.

How is Alzheimer's disease treated?

Although there is no cure, some medicines may improve your symptoms for a time.

Medicines

A group of medicines called cholinesterase inhibitors may help to restore communication between your brain cells.

You may also be given other medicines to help ease symptoms such as:

• sleeplessness
• agitation
• anxiety
• depression

These medicines don't treat Alzheimer's disease but can help improve your quality of life.

Researchers are looking for ways to cure Alzheimer's disease.

Lifestyle changes

There are other things that you can do to improve your quality of life. Where possible, you should try to:

• take care of any other health conditions you have
• maintain normal contact with your friends and family
• exercise regularly

If you have any concerns about your safety, talk with your doctor for advice. You may want to think about driving with dementia.

Creating a dementia friendly home

If you care for someone with Alzheimer's disease, it may be helpful to make changes to their home environment.

For example, you could add clear instructions on how to open doors. This may help them feel less disoriented in daily life.

Can you prevent Alzheimer's disease?

There is no sure way to prevent Alzheimer's disease. However, you can decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by caring for your health. What's good for your heart is good for your brain! Try to:

• have a healthy diet and keep a healthy weight
• stop smoking
• reduce how much alcohol you drink
• keep physically active

There is not enough evidence to show that Alzheimer's disease can be stopped by:

• medicines
• over-the-counter supplements
• cognitive training

What are some complications of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease — this means that it gets worse over time. How quickly this happens can differ between people.

Complications of Alzheimer's disease may include:

• being unable to do daily tasks such as planning meals and managing money
• a tendency to wander from home
• personality changes that make relationships more difficult
• delusions and hallucinations in advanced stages of the disease

People with Alzheimer's disease eventually need full time care and support.

Some people may only have Alzheimer's disease in the last 5 years of their life. Other people may have it for up to 20 years.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be hard — but also rewarding. In the early stage of the illness, very little help may be needed. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, care needs will increase.

Take advantage of the community support that's available for people with Alzheimer's disease, their families and carers.

Plan ahead — it's wise to plan early for the future. Arrange for a trusted person to take care of your loved one's affairs. This is called a power of attorney.

Also, support your loved one to write an Advanced Care Plan. This details the healthcare they want as their dementia gets worse.

Care for yourself — it's important to take breaks from your caring role to look after your own needs.

Resources and support

To learn more about Alzheimer's disease, try these resources:

• Call Dementia Australia on 1800 100 500 to speak to an experienced counsellor. They support people living with dementia and also their families, friends and carers.
• Dementia Support Australia has a helpline that you can call on 1800 699 799. They offer advice and support to family and friend carers of people with dementia whose behaviour is affecting their care.
• Get in touch with My Aged Care to see if government-funded residential respite care is available.

Resources in languages other than English

If you speak a language other than English:

• Dementia Australia has resources translated into more than 40 languages.
• ‘It's Not a Disgrace... It's Dementia' is a series of 12 short films by Dementia Australia. They talk about how dementia affects people from different cultures.
• Moving Pictures offers videos about dementia in Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin and Tamil.
• Health Translations Victoria has fact sheets on dementia for patients and carers in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.