What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Dementia is a general term that refers to conditions that cause a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia and refers to a neurological condition that causes a progressive and gradual decline in memory and thinking abilities, significantly affecting a person’s independence and ability to carry out daily tasks.

These are some of the common symptoms  of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Memory Loss: Think of the brain as a filing cabinet where memories are stored in an organized way. Now think of a situation in which files begin to get lost or mixed up. This is similar to what happens in Alzheimer’s. People may begin to have difficulties remembering recent information or events such as, upcoming appointments, remembering to take medications, recent conversations, names, where they’ve left their phone or keys, or any other every day details. They may also become repetitive, asking the same questions and frequently re-telling stories.  

• Trouble with Daily Activities: Tasks that used to be simple and routine can become tricky and complicated. For example, cooking, getting dressed, following instructions, or using appliances. Alzheimer’s is known to deteriorate a person’s ability to analyze situations and come up with effective solutions.

• Changes in Language and Communication: People with Alzheimer’s may struggle to find the words they want to use to express themselves, may confuse/forget names of people and common objects, and may have difficulties following conversations and understanding what others are saying.

• Impaired Judgement:  Alzheimer’s Disease may negatively affect a person’s ability to make good decisions. Poor judgement may affect important areas of a person’s life, such as finances, relationships, self-care, health, and safety.

• Getting Lost and Disoriented:  Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may become disoriented and have trouble keeping track of time, dates, and may even get lost in familiar places.

• Changes in Behavior, Personality, and Emotions: Alzheimer’s disease can cause sudden changes in mood, such as quickly going from being calm to being irritable or agitated. It can also cause people to become withdrawn, apathetic, and reduce their ability and motivation to initiate activities. Depression and anxiety can also commonly occur in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

A Neuropsychological evaluation (also known as cognitive testing) is crucial in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as it offers a comprehensive assessment of cognitive and emotional abilities. By thoroughly assessing memory, language, visual-spatial abilities, and executive functions, a Neuropsychologist can offer information on the person’s functioning, recommendations to improve quality of life, and tools for family members and caregivers to manage symptoms and plan for the future. Additionally, they also provide information on other possible causes of cognitive decline.

While neuropsychological evaluations provide crucial information for assessment and diagnosis of Azheimer’s disease, they often collaborate with other disciplines (e.g., neurologists, radiologists) to integrate other medical information. If you have concerns about you or a loved one’s cognitive abilities, contact us for a free consultation call.