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If youre experiencing memory loss, you should go to a doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. He or she will also ask you about your medication and any stress youre experiencing. After the exam, he or she will likely ask you to make an appointment with a neuropsychologist. If youre unable to recall the details of your doctor, you may want to consult another healthcare provider.
Does Early Onset Alzheimers Progress Faster
The symptoms of early-onset Alzheimers disease progress much faster than late stage ones. Individuals with this form dont tend to exhibit the classic hallmark sign forgetting important information about daily tasks or events in ones life however some present visual difficulties instead which may be indicative for future cognitive decline if not treated immediatelyThe progression pattern differs greatly between these two types since many people aren
Making Plans For The Future
When a person learns that they have dementia, they will often begin planning for their future in formal ways, as well as making plans for holidays and family time. For a person who is working and has substantial financial commitments perhaps a mortgage, pension, life insurance and so on a diagnosis of dementia will mean a drastic change of circumstances. The advice of a financial adviser could help. A person can give a named individual the power to make specific decisions on their behalf if there comes a time when they are unable to make them themselves. This is known as a Lasting Power of Attorney. There are two types: one relates to property and affairs, the other to personal welfare . For more on this area, see the feature on Advance care planning.
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Memory Loss Is Normal Alzheimers Is Not
Alzheimers is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, leading to cognitive impairment that severely affects daily living. Often the terms Alzheimers and dementia are used interchangeably and although the two are related, they are not the same. Dementia is a general term for the loss of memory or other mental abilities that affect daily life. Alzheimers is a cause of dementia, with over 70 percent of all dementia cases occurring as a result of Alzheimers.
The majority of Alzheimers cases occur in people aged 65 years or older.
Slight memory loss is a normal consequence of aging, and people therefore should not be overly concerned if they lose their keys or forget the name of a neighbor at the grocery store. If these things happen infrequently, there is scant reason to worry. You most likely do not have Alzheimers if you simply forgot one time where you parked upon leaving Disneyland or the local mall during the holidays.
How do you know when forgetfulness is part of the normal aging process and when it could be a symptom of Alzheimers? Here are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimers disease.
A key point to consider is whether these symptoms significantly affect daily living. If so, then Alzheimers disease might be the cause.
Stage : Mild Cognitive Impairment Due To Alzheimers Disease
Although senior moments are common occurrences for most older adults, an individual with MCI will experience them at a slightly higher rate. MCI will cause an individual to forget things like familiar words, where they placed something or a family members name. They may have difficulty accurately judging the sequence, number of steps or the time required to complete a task. It becomes more difficult for them to make sound decisions.
Memory troubles are still mild enough that they may not be apparent to the individuals family and friends. Additionally, symptoms at this stage typically dont cause problems at work or in relationships.
Not everyone who has MCI has Alzheimers disease. Based on a review of symptoms, a medical professional can diagnose MCI. The same procedures used to diagnose preclinical Alzheimers disease can be used to determine if the MCI is caused by Alzheimers disease or something else.
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The Financial Implications Of Early
People with early-onset Alzheimers disease may be facing a daunting financial future, particularly if their job is their main source of income.
Those who are still working may be eligible for disability benefits or may be able to use benefits offered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage.
People who need to leave their jobs may be able to retain employer-sponsored healthcare coverage for as long as 36 months under the federal law COBRA.
The Health Insurance Marketplace in each state, created by the Affordable Care Act , is another option for healthcare coverage. ACA health plans cannot refuse coverage to people with preexisting conditions, meaning no one can be denied insurance because of an Alzheimers diagnosis.
The Social Security Administration has added early-onset Alzheimers disease to its list of conditions under theCompassionate Allowances initiative.
This means people younger than 65 who qualify have expedited access to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Talking with a financial planner who is familiar with elder care or long-term-care planning may be helpful in understanding the choices and taking a proactive approach.
Is Dementia A Mental Illness
The symptoms of dementia can be hard to diagnose because they vary from person-to, but if you notice your loved one has lost their ability ____ then theres a good chance it could just happen that way. They might start forgetting information orza few words at once until finally being unable o communicate whatsoever without constantly reminding them what was said before now . This is due not only in part by___but also__the progressionof illnesseswhich causeprogressive declinein functionssuchas memory loss
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Getting Connected To Services After Diagnosis
â said, âOh, this is great, we have a diagnosis, what do we do now? Is there a pill, orâ¦?â And this is when the doctor said: âNo, thereâs no pill, thereâs nothing that we can do at all,â and youâll have to basically âgo home, get your affairs in order because you will die from this.ââ â from Ontario. Mary Beth lives with young onset frontotemporal dementia.
Even after an accurate diagnosis is made, a younger person with dementia is still likely to face obstacles. These obstacles may start with being unable to get more information about dementia or find referral to dementia-focused programs and services in their community.
We know that many people living with dementia go on to live very fulfilling lives for quite some time. Unfortunately, due to lack of knowledge and training, some healthcare providers still seem to offer little hope or support for life after diagnosis.
However, even if their doctor is helpful and can suggest practical next steps, there is another significant obstacle for the person diagnosed with young onset dementia to overcome.
Early Signs Of Young Onset Dementia
Often, the early signs of dementia in a younger person are attributed wrongly to stress, depression, bereavement or normal ageing. Interestingly, loss of memory may not be the first change the person notices or complains about. Instead, they may find they are sleeping more, for example, or becoming uncharacteristically short-tempered or disinterested in things around them.
The first year we found out about dads dementia was incredibly difficult. No one knew what was going on. It was such a relief when we found out the diagnosis.
John Brady, son of Ian Brady, Alzheimers Society Living with dementia newsletter, June 2010
Some people lose their judgement about what is appropriate. Lynn Jackson was in her mid-40s working in a dream job in Mexico City when she was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia. She had to give up her job when the dementia caused her to swear excessively at work . Lynn went on to set up Dementia Advocacy Support Network International a worldwide organisation run by and for those diagnosed with dementia .
Often a person notices a change in their ability to do something that they had always done quite easily. For example, one young man has described the impact of diminishing cognitive function on his ability to teach:
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Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
Some people may experience a greater problem with concentration. Routine day-to-day tasks requiring critical thought may take longer as the disease progresses.
The ability to drive safely may also be called into question. If you or a loved one gets lost while driving a commonly traveled route, this may be a symptom of AD.
What Are The Differences Between Early
In addition to age, there are other differences between early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, including the following:
- Most cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease appears to be linked with a genetic defect on chromosome 1 or 14 late-onset Alzheimer’s is not linked to this genetic defect. Also Down syndrome patients develop early onset Alzheimers dementia after the age of 40 because they have an inherent defect on chromosome 21. Some patients who have early onset Alzheimers disease have the ApoE 4/4 gene, which is a very strong genetic risk factor for disease development.
- A condition called myoclonus muscle twitching and spasm is more commonly seen in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease than in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
- Some research suggests that people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease decline at a faster rate than do those with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Younger people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease tend to be more physically fit and active, and many still have family and career responsibilities. As a result, they tend to react differently to the disease, and may be more likely to feel powerless, frustrated and depressed.
Tips for living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Here are some tips for living with Alzheimer’s disease:
Yourself
Family and friends
Career
Financial and legal matters
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/26/2019.
References
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What Is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain, causing it to shrink and brain cells to die. Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementiaa continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that can limit a persons ability to function independently.
Theres no cure for Alzheimers as of yet, but treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and temporarily improve quality of life. While anyone can get Alzheimers disease, people over the age of 65 and those with a family history of the condition are at a higher risk.
Everyone can deal with moments of forgetfulness, but people with Alzheimers disease display certain ongoing behaviors and symptoms to look out for, which include:
- Memory loss affecting daily activities
- Trouble with familiar tasks
- Trouble with speech or writing
- Mood and personality changes
While these signs are linked to Alzheimers, its essential to see a doctor and determine the cause.
The Effects Of Being Diagnosed At A Young Age
The personal and social consequences of young onset dementia can be much different than those experienced by people diagnosed with dementia later in life.
People living with young onset dementia are often still working at the time of diagnosis, are physically fit, and may have dependent children or parents at home. They may have major financial commitments, like a mortgage or student loan, that they are looking to pay off.
The diagnosis of dementia, and the changes it will bring, can only increase the stress of handling these responsibilities. With dementia now in the mix, it’s natural for a younger person just diagnosed with dementia to think, “What’s next!?” and worry about how they can meet handling their responsibilities.
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Genetic Risk Factors To Consider
For most people with early-onset and late-onset Alzheimers, the disease appears to be caused by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences interacting in ways that are still not clearly understood.
Researchers have made progress in identifying genes that raise the risk of both early-onset and late-onset Alzheimers.
Having a variant of the apolipoprotein E gene increases the odds of developing Alzheimers in people of all ages, though it does not mean someone will definitely get the disease. People with this variant, APOE e4, are not only more vulnerable to Alzheimers, but symptoms tend to appear at a younger age.
A subset of cases of Alzheimers in young adults between 7 and 12 percent have a rare form that is directly caused by mutations in three specific genes.
Anyone who inherits one of these mutations has a very strong probability of developing Alzheimers at a young age.
The three mutations linked to this form of early-onset Alzheimers amyloid precursor protein , presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 result in the production of abnormal proteins associated with Alzheimers disease.
Stage : Mild Dementia Due To Alzheimers Disease
The symptoms of Alzheimers disease during this stage are still mild however, close friends and family may begin to notice signs and symptoms of the disease. Work quality will begin to suffer, and the individual is likely to experience problems when trying to learn something new. Although stage three lasts for approximately seven years, symptoms will become more apparent over a span of two to four years. Its during stage three that Alzheimers disease is most often diagnosed, as it becomes apparent to family and medical professionals that the individual is having significant trouble with memory and thinking, so much so, that it impacts day-to-day activities.
In stage three, an individual may require counseling. They may have mild to moderate denial, depression and anxiety. As this stage progresses and their symptoms worsen, they may require caregiving assistance in their home or in a senior care community.
In stage three, individuals may experience:
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Why Is Dementia Progressive
Dementia is not a single condition. It is caused by different physical diseases of the brain, for example Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, DLB and FTD.
In the early stage of all types of dementia only a small part of the brain is damaged. In this stage, a person has fewer symptoms as only the abilities that depend on the damaged part of the brain are affected. These early symptoms are usually relatively minor. This is why mild dementia is used as an alternative term for the early stage.
Each type of dementia affects a different area of the brain in the early stages. This is why symptoms vary between the different types. For example, memory loss is common in early-stage Alzheimers but is very uncommon in early-stage FTD.
As dementia progresses into the middle and later stages, the symptoms of the different dementia types tend to become more similar. This is because more of the brain is affected as dementia progresses.
Over time, the disease causing the dementia spreads to other parts of the brain. This leads to more symptoms because more of the brain is unable to work properly. At the same time, already-damaged areas of the brain become even more affected, causing symptoms the person already has to get worse.
What Test Will Your Doctor Do To Diagnose Alzheimers
No single test can confirm early onset Alzheimers. Consult an experienced physician if you have a family history of early onset Alzheimers.
Theyll take a complete medical history, conduct a detailed medical and neurological exam, and review your symptoms. Some symptoms may also seem like:
- anxiety
- alcohol use
- medication side effects
The diagnostic process may also include magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans of the brain. There may also be blood tests to rule out other disorders.
Your doctor will be able to determine if you have early onset Alzheimers after theyve ruled out other conditions.
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How Do Lewy Body Patients Die
LBD is a progressive disease, with many patients dying from complications. The average lifespan of someone diagnosed at age 50 years old ranges between 5-8 years however it can be as low or higher depending on several factors such as nutrition intake and mobility during episodes where they become immobile due to their illnessThis passage talks about how long Basic Motorlah Disorder will affect your life span
Living With Early Onset Alzheimers Disease
When younger people reach a stage that requires extra care, this may create the impression that the disease has moved faster. But people with early onset Alzheimers do not progress faster through the phases. It progresses over the course of several years in younger people as it does in adults older than 65.
But its important to plan ahead after receiving a diagnosis. Early onset Alzheimers can impact your financial and legal plans.
Examples of some steps that can help include:
- seeking out a support group for those with Alzheimers
- leaning on friends and family for support
- discussing your role, and disability insurance coverage, with your employer
- going over health insurance to ensure certain medications and treatments are covered
- having disability insurance papers in order before the symptoms appear
- engaging in financial planning for the future if a persons health changes suddenly
Dont be afraid to seek help from others during these steps. Getting personal affairs in order can provide peace of mind as you navigate your next steps.
Theres currently no cure for Alzheimers disease. But there are ways to medically manage the condition and live as healthy a life as possible. Examples of ways you can stay well with early onset Alzheimers disease include:
Researchers are learning more about the disease every day.
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