Alzheimer's Myth 1: "Mom can't
have Alzheimer's -- she remembers all kinds of things."
Alzheimer's disease affects newly
learned information or recent memories first. Memories of the more distant past
-- including arcane details such as names and places -- may endure for some
time. The majority of longer-held
memories don't typically erode noticeably until the middle stage of the disease.
That's why someone recently diagnosed can often recall things in the past quite
well.
In addition, an Alzheimer's patient
has good days and bad days, sometimes appearing to improve or to function in a
"back to normal" way for short periods. Sufferers also tend to retain
basic social skills during the early stages of the disease -- including the
ability to "rise to the occasion" by doing their best to cover up
potentially embarrassing or disruptive signs of the disease, like
disorientation or memory loss.
Alzheimer's Myth 2: "If you
live long enough, you'll get Alzheimer's."
Alzheimer's and other forms of
dementia aren't an inevitable part of aging. True, almost everyone forgets
things occasionally from middle age on. But not everyone develops a brain
disorder that affects cognition (thinking ability), including memory, judgment,
and eventually personality and behavior -- which is what Alzheimer's is. Millions of people reach their 70s, 80s,
and even 90s with good memories and relatively little decline in mental
abilities.
Alzheimer's Myth 3:
"Alzheimer's only affects the elderly."
It's true that the vast majority of
people with Alzheimer's disease are older than 65, including half of all people
older than 85. In fact, for each five-year span beyond 65, the percentage of
people with the disease doubles, according to the National Institute on Aging.
But a particular rare form of the disease, early-onset
Alzheimer's, can affect adults as young as their 30s. It strikes most
commonly in the 50s. Early-onset
Alzheimer's disease accounts for only between 5 to 10 percent of the more than
4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Myth 4: "Most
people with Alzheimer's are oblivious to their symptoms."
Typically, those in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease
or other common forms of dementia do realize, at least part of the time, that
something's wrong. (Whether they recognize it as Alzheimer's is another
matter.) Most people with the disorder are aware that they're experiencing
memory lapses, for example, or that they're starting to have trouble doing
certain familiar tasks (following a favorite card game, cooking a particular
recipe). Insight varies by individual,
and the degree of awareness can shift from day to day.
Depending on their level of
awareness and attitude toward correction, people with Alzheimer's may
appreciate being gently told when they make a mistake due to memory loss,
disorientation, or another disease symptom. On the other hand, self-awareness of
symptoms can make someone frustrated, angry, scared, or socially withdrawn. As the disease progresses and
symptoms worsen, awareness of the situation is likely to decline.
Alzheimer's Myth 5: "My parent
has Alzheimer's, so I'll probably get it too."
Having a parent or sibling with
Alzheimer's does increase your risk for developing the disease compared to
someone without a familial link. But it doesn't mean you're likely to
get it. Family history only increases your risk slightly.
The role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer's
disease is still under investigation.
Researchers have identified a "risk
gene" called APOE-e4 (apoliprotein E-e4). APOE-e4 is one of three common
forms of the APOE-e gene. Everybody inherits some form of that gene. Inheriting
APOE-e4 from one or both parents is known to raise the risk of developing
Alzheimer's. But how this works is unknown, and it's likely other genes are
also involved.
Specific forms of Alzheimer's
disease are more likely to run in families: for example, familial Alzheimer's
disease, an early-onset type that accounts for fewer than 10 percent of people
with Alzheimer's. It's caused by one of several rare gene mutations. More
common forms of the disease, those with a "late onset," however,
don't demonstrate a clear pattern of heredity.
Genetic tests are available that can
identify the form of the APOE gene a person has, as well as the known rare gene
mutations. A special lab must run these blood tests; a genetic counselor can
assess the risks and benefits of testing for the possibility of a disease for
which there is no cure. Most doctors don't recommend routine testing. But you
should decide what's right for the person you're caring for and her family.
Alzheimer's Myth 6: "Dad's
Alzheimer's will make him an angry and aggressive person, and he will lash out
at us eventually."
It's a common worry that a patient
with Alzheimer's will eventually turn irate or violent. Aggression is less
common than you might think, however. It's not a guaranteed part of one's experience
with the disease. It's likely that someone with Alzheimer's or other forms of
dementia will feel frustrated or angry at times -- perhaps especially when in
an unfamiliar environment or when he's embarrassed -- but he may not express
those emotions as violent outbursts.
The disease affects people differently. In fact, some people become more reserved or timid as the
disease progresses. There are many ways to manage the full gamut of behaviors
prompted by the disease. For those in the later stages of Alzheimer's, the
right care may mean a memory care community, where staff are trained to
handle common dementia-related behaviors, including anger, aggression and
violence.
Alzheimer's Myth 7:
"Alzheimer's symptoms are reversible."
A great deal can be done to treat
and manage Alzheimer's symptoms, slowing the pace of decline and helping
someone with the disease retain independence and quality of life for longer
than if these things went unattended. This is especially true with an early
diagnosis. Possibilities include medications, environmental cues, cognitive
therapy, and treatment for related conditions, such as depression.
Ultimately, however, Alzheimer's is
a progressive disease. A person may function fairly well for years in its early
stage, or may decline rapidly. But there's currently no way to reverse its
progress or cure it.
Alzheimer's Myth 8: "There's no
bright side to an Alzheimer's diagnosis."
It would be sugar-coating to suggest
that Alzheimer's is not a particularly difficult disease for the sufferer, the caregiver, or the patient's family. It progressively
robs her of her brain and, in turn, her personality, and it places a
considerable emotional, financial, and practical burden on all those providing
care. Many people do, however, come to appreciate some positives that can come
from this hard situation.
Many adult children, for example,
derive deep personal satisfaction and pride from meeting the challenge head-on
and making their parents' last years safe and comfortable. The crisis can be an opportunity to purposefully reconnect and share
quiet quality time as a family. Some people realize that "now's the
time," before a parent's memory deteriorates further, to record a family
history or sit down together and identify the faces in old photographs.
Another silver lining: Alzheimer's diagnosis often brings
together scattered or estranged family members as they work in concert to
provide care.
Paula
Spencer Scott
Paula Spencer Scott is the author of
Surviving Alzheimer's: Practical Tips and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers and
much of the Alzheimer's and caregiving content on Caring. See full bio
Source:
caring.com
