This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network
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This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network |
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This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network. |
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National Alzheimer's Disease Month
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About  |
What is National Alzheimer's Disease Month? National Alzheimer’s Disease Month is an annual national observance that was established by former President Ronald Reagan in 1983. The observance was begun as a way to increase public awareness and Federal research funding to find treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the brain that causes a gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function socially. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the 11th leading cause of death for adults aged 65 and older. While the cause of Alzheimer’s disease still is uncertain, researchers agree that the risk of developing the condition increases as a person ages. Researchers recently projected the number of new cases of Alzheimer’s disease that could occur every year over the next 50 years if current population trends continue and no preventive treatments emerge. It is estimated that the number of new cases every year will double between 1995 and 2050, from 377,000 to 959,000. The annual number of new cases will begin to climb sharply around the year 2040, when all the baby boomers will be over 65. What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Memory loss is the most common sign of this disease. However, consultation with a doctor is necessary for an accurate diagnosis if you have any concerns with memory, thinking skills, and changes in yours or a relative’s behavior. In addition to memory loss, other warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with speech, confusion about a sense of time or place, poor or declining judgment, problems with abstract thinking, misplacement of objects, changes in mood or behavior, changes in personality, and loss of initiative. What treatment is available for Alzheimer's disease? No treatment can stop Alzheimer’s disease. However, for some people in the early and middle stages of the disease, certain drugs may help to prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A drug also has been approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, although it too is limited in its effects. Some of these medicines may help to control behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes persons with Alzheimer’s disease more comfortable and makes it easier for those taking care of them.Back to top |
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