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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that attacks the brain and causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It gets worse over time.

About 4 million Americans have
Alzheimer’s disease. In a national survey,
19 million Americans said they had a
family member with Alzheimer’s disease,
and 37 million said they knew someone
with the disease. It is estimated that
one-half million Californians over the age
of 60 suffer with Alzheimer’s disease.


Symptoms
  • Gradual memory loss that affects daily living
  • Difficulty learning new things
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks, such as cooking
  • Problems naming common objects
  • Getting lost easily, even in familiar places
  • Poor or decreased judgement
  • Changes in mood, behavior and personality
  • Loss of interest in hobbies

Get Prepared

Doctors only have a limited amount of time to spend with each patient. You can help by being prepared.


» Take all medications, both over-the-counter (vitamins, aspirin) and prescription, to the visit.

» Take a list of past and current medical problems. Have other family members had illnesses that caused memory problems?

» Answer the doctor’s questions honestly and to the best of your ability.

» Write a list of symptoms, when they began, and how frequently they occur.

» Be specific. For example, “Last Tuesday, I (my husband) got lost on the way home from the store. It was scary.”

» Ask the doctor to explain any tests and how long it will take to get a diagnosis.

Medical Evaluation

A complete medical evaluation
for memory loss should include:

1. A medical and psychiatric history

2. A physical and neurological exam, which may include brain imaging techniques, such as CT or MRI scans

3. Lab tests (blood and urine)

4. An evaluation of the patient’s ability
to perform common daily activities,
such as balancing a checkbook or
taking medications

5. A ‘mental status exam’ to measure
the patient’s thinking and memory

6. A family or caregiver interview



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