If Your Parent Has Alzheimer’s Will You Get It

Make Sure Your Parent Has Essential Legal Documents

As my mom was showing signs of memory loss, the first thing I did was suggest that she meet with an attorney to update her estate planning documents. I knew this needed to happen quickly because you must be mentally competent to sign documents such as a will, power of attorney and living will.

• A will or living trust spells out who gets your assets when you die. A living trust also can be used to transfer assets while you are living, which can be a useful tool in long-term care planning.
• A power of attorneydocument allows you to name an agent or agents to make financial decisions and transactions for you if you cannot. If your parent names his or her spouse as POA, itâs important to name an alternate POA â such as you, the child â in case something happens to the spouse.
• A living will or advance health care directive allows you to spell out what sort of end-of-life medical care you would or would not want and to name someone to make health care decisions for you if you canât.

Itâs especially important for your parent to have the latter two documents in place before the middle and late stages of Alzheimerâs. At that point, someone will need to be making financial and health care decisions for your parent. If a power of attorney and health care proxy havenât been named and your parent is no longer competent, you or your parentâs caregiver will need to go through what can be a lengthy and expensive court process to be named conservator or guardian.

Encourage Your Parent To Visit Their Doctor

When changes to someone close to you become apparent, its important to encourage them to seek a medical assessment from their doctor.

It can be a difficult conversation to have and youll have to approach the subject with a strategy in mind. Find a comfortable place and determine a time of day when your mom or dad will be most receptive to talking. You might choose to mention the symptoms youve been noticing, and asking how theyve been feeling lately . You can suggest that they see a doctor to discuss their symptoms.

Keep in mind that the conversation might not go as planned. Your parent might not be aware of their symptoms or be in denial of them. They might also be aware of what might be wrong with them and become scared or worried, both perfectly normal reactions. If they do indeed have dementia, and it has progressed from the early stages already, the very nature of the disease might prevent them from recognizing the changes youve noticed and think that the need to see the doctor is unnecessary.

If this is the case, you can always suggest a trip to the doctor for other reasons, such as a blood pressure test or an overall physical checkup. Either give their doctor the heads up about your concerns beforehand or try to accompany your parent to the appointment so you can ensure that their symptoms are mentioned.

Other Rare Types Of Dementia

Other rare types of dementia that can be passed down through the family include Huntingtons disease and Familial Prion disease. These diseases have a 50/50 chance of being passed on because they are caused by a single faulty dominant gene.

This means that, if you inherit a healthy gene from one parent and a faulty gene from the other parent, the faulty one will always be the one that is used because its the dominant gene.

For more information, care and support services, please refer to the Huntingtons Disease Association or the National Prion Clinic at UCL.

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Why And How To Get Dementia Diagnosis

As long as the parent has the proper legal documents, primarily for healthcare decisions and financial affairs, then knowing an official diagnosis for suspected Alzheimers Disease or other dementia is not as urgent. However, knowing the medical diagnosis is helpful to adult children. Knowing a diagnosis will allow one to determine the progression, the nature, and expectation of symptoms, treatment options for symptoms, and other care needs currently and for the future.

Depending on a parents medical issues and all treating physicians, determining a diagnosis could be easier than one believes. A primary care physician who has treated an aging adult for some time, may conduct some simple tests during a regular office visit and conclude a proper diagnosis regarding cognition.

Another option is seeing a geriatrician, a physician specialist in the health and care of elder people. These physicians are usually adept in diagnosing any type of dementia. In some cases, a referral to a neurology-psychologist is made to assist in a diagnosis. Neuropsychological tests are standardized tests, meaning that they are given in the same manner to all patients and scored in a similar manner time after time.

See A Doctor For An Evaluation

Fortunately, there are tests that can indicate the presence of dementia. When you see a parent struggling to remember or having difficulty performing tasks that were once easy, schedule a visit with a doctor or amemory care provider.

A doctor will know how to get a parent tested for dementia and provide guidance on how to talk to aging parents about memory loss.

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What To Do When Your Parent Has Dementia

Dementia can be a very cruel condition. Not to get too philosophical, but our memories make up, to a large extent, who we are. Our collected experiences over decades of existence. To lose them is difficult. And to see a parent or elderly loved one lose their memory can be very disheartening indeed. But all is not lost. Dementia is not a sentence for eternal dread or doom. There are things you can do to make life more manageable and, yes, even enjoyable .

Genetic Research For Alzheimers Disease

Researchers think there are probably many more genes that affect the risk of Alzheimerâs. Discovery of these genes will help doctors:

• Understand the disease better and learn why it affects certain people in certain ways
• Learn more about what increases your risk of getting it
• Identify people who are at higher risk so they can home in on preventive care
• Develop new treatments

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Know The Early Warning Signs Of Alzheimers Disease And Dementia

Like many life-altering diseases, its important to diagnose Alzheimers disease and dementia early. Your family will not only be able to arrange for treatment sooner, but you might also be able to access interventions that might slow down the progress of the disease.

Here are some early warning signs of Alzheimers disease and dementia:

· Short-term memory loss that affects day-to-day function

· Significant change in behaviour or personality

· Difficulty paying attention or losing focus/being vague during a conversation

· Trouble finding words and/or completing sentences

· Reduced ability to perform everyday routine tasks

· Loss of energy and enthusiasm in activities they enjoy

Confusion And/or Finding It Hard To Remember

You must keep in mind that a seniors memory is not as sharp as that of younger people. There is, however, a difference between needing a few seconds or a minute to recall something and simply not being able to recall it at all.

If the persons memory loss is also accompanied by confusion, that could point towards dementia.

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What Role Do Our Genes Play In Dementia

As dementia is so common, many of us will have a relative living with the condition but this does not mean we will develop it too.

Dementia is caused by diseases that affect the brain, such as Alzheimers disease. The likelihood of developing dementia will usually depend on a complex mix of factors like our age, medical history and lifestyle, as well as our genes. Most cases of dementia are not directly caused by genes we inherit from our parents.

How Genetics Impact Your Risk Of Alzheimers

There are certain genes/mutations that increase your risk of Alzheimers, and a few very rare genes/mutations that may directly cause Alzheimers disease.

These extremely rare genes that directly cause Alzheimers are called deterministic genes. Those that only increase your chances of developing Alzheimers are called risk genes.

Experts do not recommend routine genetic testing to diagnose Alzheimers. There may be very rare genes that may directly cause early-onset Alzheimers, but genetic testing cannot give you a 100% accurate diagnosis or prediction.

The most common gene associated with higher disease risk is the APOE-e4 allele. Interestingly, individuals with APOE-e2 variation have a risk for the development of Alzheimers.

Does Alzheimers run in the family? Alzheimers runs in the family, in a sense. Those who have a first-degree relative with the disease are at increased risk of developing Alzheimers. This does not equate to a 100% guarantee that youll develop the disease. But genetics seem to partially contribute to developing Alzheimers.

Can you get Alzheimers if it doesnt run in your family? You can get Alzheimers if it doesnt run in your family. The causes of Alzheimers disease are not purely genetic. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing the disease. Everyone older than 65 years old is at risk of developing Alzheimers. However, having no family history of dementia may decrease your risk of dementia.

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Talk To Their Doctor And Suggest They Recommend A Dementia Test

As much as it hurts to admit, your parent might not listen to you. You know who they would be more likely to listen to? Their doctor.

If you can speak to their doctor outside of your parents knowledge and suggest that their doctor recommend a dementia test, your parent might agree.

At the end of the day, it doesnt matter where the idea comes from, so try not to take it personally. Whats much more important is that your parent gets a dementia evaluation.

The Truth About Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can help identify mutated genes and risks for certain disorders that can be prevented or treated, but when it comes to genetic testing for Alzheimers disease, support is not quite universal.

In some cases, it can be appropriate to be tested for the presence of the deterministic genes that will cause Alzheimers disease. However, since there is currently no cure for Alzheimers, there are not a lot of valid reasons for this testing unless it is to participate in research trials. At this time, most experts do not recommend routine genetic testing for Alzheimers disease as the results have no practical impact on medical treatment or health care decisions.

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There Is A Genetic Test For An Alzheimers Gene But It Doesnt Predict If Youll Get The Disease

Scientists identified one gene, called APOE, that has been shown to potentially affect your risk of developing Alzheimers disease. Genetic testing, for example through the at-home testing company 23andMe, offers a test that will discover if you have the version of the gene, called APOE-e4, that is associated with an 15- to 20-percent increase in the likelihood of developing Alzheimers. Every person has zero, one or two copies of APOE-e4, and the more you have, the greater your risk.

However, its important to remember that even if you do have the bad gene, that doesnt necessarily mean you will get Alzheimers disease. Not everyone with the risky gene gets Alzheimers, and not everyone who has Alzheimers has the risky gene, so its not a predictive test.

Whats Next After A Parent Is Diagnosed With Alzheimers

< ![CDATA[A diagnosis of Alzheimers disease is a traumatic experience, particularly when it involves a parent. Your mother or father cared for you, and now it is your turn to be the caregiver. This information will help you learn more about what to expect during these emotional days.

After a Parents Alzheimers Diagnosis

It is certainly shocking to learn that your parent has been diagnosed with a debilitating brain disorder like Alzheimers disease. Before you proceed any further, the Alzheimers Association recommends that you take your parent to a different doctor for a second opinion. This will confirm that the symptoms arent being caused by other factors, such as stroke, thyroid issues, or drug interactions.

If a primary care physician diagnosed your parent with Alzheimers disease or dementia, then you might want to seek the advice of a neurologist. A specialist like a neurologist can conduct a complete assessment, including a brain scan, to confirm your parents diagnosis.

At first, you might think that youre doing the wrong thing by subjecting your loved one to more tests and doctors visits. But it is important to eliminate all other potential causes of memory loss in order to arrive at a correct treatment plan for your parent.

Coping with Alzheimers Disease

As you start to adjust to your new role as a caregiver for your parent, you will likely begin feeling many different emotions. A few common ones include:

A Caring Community for Alzheimers Patient Support

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Your Genes Can Increase Your Risk For Dementia

Having a family memberespeciallya first-degree relative like your mother, father, sister, or brotherwithsevere memory problems, Alzheimers disease, or another form of dementia makesyou 3.5 times more likely to develop symptoms. Similarly, if you have one ortwo copies of the APOE4 gene, you have a greater chance of memory problems.

Many people in the medical community contend that there is nothing anyone can do to mitigate genetic risk. Theyre wrong. There are many things you can do to reduce your risk even if you have a genetic predisposition for the disease. Just look at Bud.

Family History By The Numbers

Studies of family history say that if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s diseasethe most common form of dementia in older adultsyour risk increases by about 30%. This is a relative risk increase, meaning a 30% hike in your existing risk.

If you are age 65, the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is 2% per year, although this also means a 98% chance per year of not developing Alzheimer’s. In absolute numbers, a 2% annual risk means that two out of 100 65-year-olds will develop dementia every year.

Family history raises the 2% annual risk by about 30%, to 2.6% per year. That means going from 20 cases in a group of 1,000 to 26 in 1,000, or six additional cases in 1,000. “So the absolute increase is relatively small,” Dr. Marshall says.

Age raises the chance of Alzheimer’s more than family history. People in their 70s have a 5% chance of being diagnosedmore than twice that of people in their 60s. Family history raises this by 30%, from 5% to 6.5%. Again, the absolute change is relatively small.

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Hope For A New Generation

Although this news may at first be dispiriting to caregivers who have watched their parents suffer from the disease, it may also lead to new methods of detection and prevention. Dr. Lisa Mosconi from the New York University Langone Medical Center said, Studies show that by the time people come in for a diagnosis, there may be a large amount of irreversible brain damage already present. This is why it is ideal that we find signs of the disease in high-risk people before symptoms occur.

If patients and doctors know that a family history of Alzheimers can mean a higher risk for children, the disease is more likely to be found earlier.

Does Alzheimers run in your family? Would you want to know your chances of developing the disease?

Understand That The Conversation May Not Go Well

Someone experiencing early dementia might not see the symptoms in themselves. Even though the diagnosis is accurate, your loved one may show signs of denial and withdrawal and be unwilling to discuss it. Or they could even get angry or defensive. Forcing the conversation will likely be ineffective. Instead, take a break and plan to reopen the discussion after your parent has had some time to digest the news.

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People Affected By Dementia Are Often Concerned About Whether The Condition Can Be Passed Along In Families

Here we discuss the role of heredity in Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia.

Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a persons functioning. It is a broad term to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and what would be considered normal emotional reactions. Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50% to 70% of all cases of dementia. It occurs relatively frequently in older people, regardless of family history. For females aged 65 to 69 years dementia affects 1 person in 80 compared to 1 person in 60 for males. For both males and females aged 85 and over the rate is approximately 1 person in 4.

What Is Early Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease

Definition: What Is eFAD?

Early onset familial Alzheimer disease is hereditary and marked by Alzheimer disease symptoms that appear at an unusually early age. Symptoms can start in a person’s thirties, forties, and fifties . Generally, if you are diagnosed with eFAD, then one of your parents will also have had it if he or she lived long enough, and your siblings and your children may have a 50-50 chance of having inherited it. Very rarely, eFAD can make a first-time appearance in a family through a new genetic mutation.

Genetics researchers studied eFAD families to discover the three known genes that cause familial AD: amyloid precursor protein , presenilin-1 , and presenilin-2 . Of these, PS1 mutations account for most eFAD, while APP and PS2 are more rare. Having a pathogenic mutation in one of these three genes virtually guarantees that one will develop early onset Alzheimer disease. Tests can determine which gene is at fauly . There are also cases of eFAD that cannot be linked to one of these three genes. There may be additional genes waiting to be discovered, if only researchers could connect with more eFAD families.

Prognosis: Is eFAD Different from LOAD?

How Common Is Early Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease?

For practical and research purposes, doctors and scientists need defined populations for study and the numbers change based on the definitions. The definition would seem to rest on two criteria:

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