How does alzheimer’s affect the individual?

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that affects millions of individuals worldwide. As you may already know, it is a condition in which an individual gradually loses their cognitive abilities over time. This can have significant impacts on both physical and mental health, social interactions, and daily living activities.

In this article, we will explore some of the ways in which Alzheimer’s affects the individual. We’ll cover everything from memory loss to behavioral changes.

The Basics

Before we dive too deep into how Alzheimer’s affects an individual, let’s brush up briefly on what exactly Alzheimer’s disease is. It is a type of dementia (a broad term used to describe a range of conditions related to cognitive decline) characterized by progressive brain cell death that results in memory loss and impaired thinking skills.

The disease typically progresses slowly over time through stages involving mild forgetfulness or mild confusion about familiar tasks before impacting more complex reasoning ability such as making judgments or recognizing people close to them according to Mayo Clinic1.

Cognitive Changes & Memory Loss

One of the most well known signs at any stage (of) Alzheimer’s are/symptoms involves difficulties with cognition—thinking/processing that affect memories longterm/short-term/information processing problem noted/Bill Gates style[i.e forget small things like PIN number). Initially patients may confuse common wordsnames before progressing onto invisable object visable also eventually reach not recognising familar faces[2] but tend towards remembering early-life events.

Short Term Memory

People suffering from early onset Alzheimers often experience extreme anxiety / panic attacks due to short-term memory issues such as focusing difficulty and not easily recall something spoken minutes/hours ago which make it difficult for communications especially when they are repeating themselves repeatedly increasing/decreasing volume presuming others did not hear clearly.

Long Term Memory

Long term event memory is something people with Alzheimer’s may hold onto for longer periods of time but eventually slip away overtime/with progression of the disease3. Imagine being holding crucial moments/memories in a “stained glass frame” only to have them shattered, and slowly losing even more pieces over time.

Physical Effects

While Alzheimer’s is primarily seen as an illness that affects cognitive abilities, it can also have physical impacts on the individual.

Impaired motor Skills

As Alzheimers continues to affect brain cells ability to communicate muscle control becomes progressively affected/lack coordination until mobility itself constitutes major challengefor most patients, meaning issues experienced depending on how-well symptoms managed or reduced i.e drug medication.

Sleep Disturbances & Fatigue

Sleep management changes frequently occur at any stage of Alzheimers-whether patient struggling with insomnia including increased daytime sleepiness or wanting to nap frequently despite adequate rest hours.4 Managing these challenges typically requires addressing general health needs emotional/pshychological wellbeing changes incl.some necessary drugs if required

Mood Changes & Behavioral Changes

Mood disorders are unfortunately common amongst those suffering from Alzheimer’s(occurred in 40%)[^5], and impact daily living considerably.

Depression & Anxiety

People dealing /subjected/navigating through way/disease course described Alzheimer’s often experience intense sadness by the new reality they find themselves facing; separation with friends,family members present regularly causes anxiety around social interaction leads towards depression situations escalating under pressure – so all types counseling/talking therapies could help manage stressful situations.

Unusual Habits/Hobbies/Purchases etc.

Dementia due to its degradation processes trickles down affecting perception reducing cognitive decisions hence why seniors who never used paying bank-wide subscriptions get fooled into investing their pension funds/BiG lumps sum based on advertisements.Meanwhile bizarre habits such collecting rocks both big and small/ even consuming peculiar foods eg soap or cat food[^6] can occur stemming from said cognitive decline. Caretakers/members of the family require diverse assistive care /monitoring support to identify potential harm from such engagements.

Conclusion

Alzheimer’s disease is a tough illness for individuals suffering, families or caregivers involved in caretaking capacity so understanding how it affects the individual both physically and emotionally is critical. This condition may lead people with diagnosis into extreme confusion struggling internalize to initial reality like tragic situation forced upon them gradually losing ability interact with familiar environment including loved ones which results possible image loss, depression stages and slowed down reactions generating anxiety-like behaviour among other symptoms [^7].

As time progresses patient access to medical treatment,hospice/palliative care,oncology remains crucial but specific approach should be used depending on personalised cases unique symptomms stage progression guidelines.

Keep fighting Alzheimer’s disease!


  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447 

  2. https://www.alzheimers.net/how-alzheimers-affects-memory/ 

  3. https://www.webmd.com/alzheimer-s-dementia/features/alzheimers-stages-severity#5 

  4. https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/Living-with-dementia/Care-partner-corner/Sleep-management-for-care-partners–What-to-do-when-your-loved-one-experiences-insomnia-or-fatigue
    [5]^:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22372-mood-problems-and-behavior-changes-in-ad-with-agitation-and-aggression#:~:text=Change%20in%20mood&text=Often%2C%20affecting%2040%%20of,inappropriate%20use%20of%20language
    [6]^:https://www.realsimple.com/health/mind-mood/alzheimers-patients-strange-behaviors 

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