What is Alzheimer's?
Learn what Alzheimer's disease is, what causes it, and how it can affect your life.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK, affecting around 6 in 10 people with dementia. The progressive neurodegenerative condition gradually impacts memory, cognitive function and the ability to perfrom daily activities. Early signs may include mild memory loss, which worsens over time, eventually affecting reasoning, judgement and problem-solving. Physical abilities and mood may also shift, with symptoms such as anxierty, irritability or depression as the condition advances.At Home Instead, we provide compassionate, in-home support to empower older adults with Alzheimer’sto live with independence. With 20 years of experience, our highly trained Care Professionals are here to help you and your family navigate Alzheimer’s with confidence and care.Today, we are the world’s largest global home care netowrk, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have on Alzheimer’s care, we can help.Learn more about how Alzheimer’s compares to other forms of dementia in our article: The Different Types Of Dementia
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease causes a range of symptoms that differ from person to person, and develop at different rates. People with Alzheimer’s tend to experience symptoms such as:
- Memory problems (from mild forgetfulness in the early stages, to forgetting recent events and names of loved ones)
- Confusion about familiar places or people
- Difficulties with reasoning
- Language and communication problems which can lead to repetitive speech patterns
- Disorientation in time and space that can change the way they see and hear things
- Changes in their mood, such as depression or anxiety
- Behavioural changes, such as agitation or irritability
- Challenges in problem-solving which can mean they require more help
- Physical challenges with carrying out everyday tasks and activities, like cooking dinner or getting dressed
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s can initially appear after age 60, and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age.
What causes Alzheimer’s, and how does it affect the brain?
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown, but it directly affects brain function by disrupting and eventually killing neurons. In normal ageing, the brain may shrink slightly but continues to function well without significant neuron loss.In Alzheimer’s, neurons begin to fail, lose connection with one and ultimately die, impairing memory and cognitive functions. Initially, Alzheimer’s affects areas like the hippocampus, which handles memory, and over time, it extends to regions responsible for reasoning, communication, and behaviour.As these changes progress, individuals with Alzheimer’s may require assitance with daily tasks to ensure their safety and well-being, eventually leading to the need for end-of-life care.
How is Alzheimer’s different from dementia?
The terms Alzheimer’s and dementia tend to be used interchangeably, but they are different. Dementia is the overall condition causing cognitive decline, and there are several types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being one of them – the most common form of the condition. As an overview, here are some of the other common forms of dementia, and how they differ from Alzheimer’s disease:
- Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, affecting around 150,000 people in the UK. Unlike Alzheimer’s, this condition is caused by interruptions in the flow of blood vessels and oxygen within the brain. This means symptoms are often determined by the size, location and number of vascular changes. The symptoms of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are very similar, with issues being things like changes in memory, cognition, and behaviour.
- Lewy body dementia is the third most common type of dementia, affecting around 100,000 people in the UK. This type causes very similar symptoms to that of Alzheimer’s disease, which is why it is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s in the early stages. Lewy body dementia is thought to be characterised by abnormal clumps of protein gathered in cells in the brain, but symptoms are unique for this type of dementia. They can include hallucinations, fluctuations in alertness, difficulty with movement, and sleep disturbances, which are not as common in Alzheimer’s.
Frontotemporal dementia is a less common type of dementia, but is still estimated to affect around 31,000 people in the UK. This type is most common in people aged between 40 and 60, which is younger than those who tend to suffer from Alzheimer’s. It is characterised by issues in the frontal and temporal lobes in the brain due to a buildup of proteins, and since these areas are responsible for things like personality, behaviour, language and speech, symptoms often affect these functions. Uniquely, memory loss is not the norm in the early stages of frontotemporal dementia.
How does Alzheimer’s progress over time?
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, typically moving through stages that eventually require end-of-life care. In the early stages, memory lapses and mild cognitive difficulties may occur, often subtle enough to go unnoticed, allowing the person to live much as they did before with minimal support.As Alzheimer’s progresses to the middle stage, daily tasks and familiar activities become challenging, with issues in memory, communication, orientation and mood. In the severe stage, basic functions such as dressing, eating and mobility become difficult and language skills often decline.In late-stage alzheimer’s, a person may lose awareness of their surroundings and struggle to recognise loved ones. The rate of progression varies, but research suggests Alzheimer’s generally has a longer survival time than vascular of Lewy body dementia, with life expectancy after diagnosis ranging from 4-8 years, though some may live up to 20 years.Learn more about stages of Alzheimer’s disease in our article: Managing The Stages Of Dementia
Are there any treatments available?
There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, so treatment involves managing the condition in order to promote wellbeing and quality of life throughout the progression of the disease. Certain treatments can help to alleviate the symptoms and slow progression. These include things like:
- Medications to slow progression: Some medicines can be offered to help maintain high levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which can help nerve cells send and receive signals, and help manage the cognitive symptoms experienced. This can improve overall quality of life for some people living with the condition, and you can speak to your GP about this if you have been diagnosed.
- Medications to address symptoms:Research shows that treating the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s can improve quality of life. This could include antidepressants, sleep aids, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications and more. Again, your GP can offer more information on the medications that could help you.
- Lifestyle interventions: These might include regular movement and exercise, adopting a healthy diet, regular activities to stimulate cognitive function, and more. If you receive home care, your Care Professional can help with things like mobility support, travel to social events, cooking healthy meals, and setting up regular activities to stimulate the brain.
- Therapies: Things like occupational therapy and speech therapy can offer different benefits for those with Alzheimer’s by helping to enhance functioning and offering emotional support throughout.
Can anything be done to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s or prevent it?
Although there is no way to remove all risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in older age, there are thought to be ways to lower the risk and potentially prevent it by focusing on brain health. This often means:
- Adopting a regular exercise routine to promote blood flow to the brain
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids to support brain function
- Doing mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, learning new skills, and engaging in social interactions, as these have been shown to help maintain cognitive function
While there is no guaranteed method of preventing the condition, a generally healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or have been living with the condition, you may be looking into future Alzheimer’s care options for when you need help at home. Thinking of the care you might need in future can be an overwhelming experience, and this is something you should not need to go through alone.
At Home Instead, we are always on hand to discuss what you might require to stay safe and happy in your own home, and our Care Professionals can offer expertly tailored care for everything from occasional companionship to live-in care solutions.
With Alzheimer’s, you may find you feel most safe and secure in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by familiar possessions and loved ones. If this is the case for you, reach out to us to discuss our flexible home care options. Our Care Professionals undergo a City & Guilds assured training programme, which has won a Princess Royal Training Award. The programme was created in conjunction with dementia care specialists, so we understand the best ways to care for those with a dementia diagnosis to help them live safely, happily and comfortably at home.
Home Instead is an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older adults in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.
Tim Howell , Learning and Development Partner
With a professional background that spans healthcare, aviation, and specialized training, I bring a wealth of experience to the field of dementia care. As a former Registered Nurse with expertise in Emergency and Children’s Medical care, I transitioned to a 20-year career in aviation, serving as a Cabin Director and Base Cabin Crew Manager. In these roles, I led recruitment, training, retention, and leadership initiatives for cabin crew teams across the UK.<br /> <br /> For the past 16 years, I have been dedicated to the care sector, progressing from Care Professional to Care Manager, and later assuming roles such as Specialist Training Manager. Currently, as a Learning and Development Partner at Home Instead’s National Office, I develop and review training programs, collaborate with external organizations like the Alzheimer’s Society, and manage various impactful projects.<br /> <br /> My passion for dementia care has guided much of my work, from engaging with advanced dementia support initiatives, such as those offered by the End of Life Partnership, to staying informed through events like the annual Dementia Summit. These efforts reflect my deep commitment to enhancing the care and quality of life for individuals living with dementia