What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a mental disease that affects neurons’ communication, disrupting proper memory and behavior. Age, genetics, environment, and lifestyle are the main contributors to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s becomes worse with time. This condition is progressive and affects memory and other mental functions that deteriorate over time. When a person reaches a critical stage, they lose cognitive tasks that prevent them from performing daily activities and responding to their surroundings.

In the United States, Alzheimer’s disease ranks as the sixth most significant cause of death. After the beginning of Alzheimer’s symptoms, the average lifespan can go from four to eight years, although a person can live with this condition for twenty years, depending on age and other health factors.

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What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?

What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?

While it is true that Alzheimer’s can develop into dementia, not all people with dementia will have Alzheimer’s and vice-versa. The symptoms are significantly similar, and it is easy to confuse these terms.

A simple way to understand its difference is that:

Dementia is the decline of memory and reasoning, while Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease that affects many people who have dementia.

The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to attend to a specialist. The doctor will perform several examinations to evaluate memory impairment, cognitive abilities, and behavioral abnormalities.

Some Alzheimer’s statistics and facts

  • Six million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s. This figure is expected to increase by 2050 to nearly 13 million.
  • COVID-19 led to a 17% rise in Alzheimer’s and dementia-related mortality in 2020.
  • Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia by taking care of loved ones themselves.
  • Less than one-fifth of Americans are familiar with moderate cognitive impairment (MCI), a disease that could manifest before Alzheimer’s
  • This condition affects 1 in 9 seniors over 65 – about 10.7%.
  • Alzheimer’s affects more women than men by almost two-thirds.

It is worth mentioning that people under the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s; however, the percentage is very low, and it is rare to have this condition.

Who is eligible for hospice when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?

There is a fair amount of characteristics to be eligible for hospice care. If you or someone close to you has Alzheimer’s, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Inability to walk without support.
  • Unable to dress without help.
  • Incapability to bathe without assistance.
  • Intermittent or continuous urinary or fecal incontinence.
  • There is no meaningful verbal communication; speech is limited to six or fewer understandable words.
  • A life expectancy of six months or less.

Who is eligible for hospice when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?

There is a fair amount of characteristics to be eligible for hospice care. If you or someone close to you has Alzheimer’s, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Inability to walk without support.
  • Unable to dress without help.
  • Incapability to bathe without assistance.
  • Intermittent or continuous urinary or fecal incontinence.
  • There is no meaningful verbal communication; speech is limited to six or fewer understandable words.
  • A life expectancy of six months or less.

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How does Ascend care for Alzheimer’s patients?

How does Ascend care for Alzheimer’s patients?

Hospice can provide caring and professional assistance to families taking care of the afflicted person’s functions while adapting to diminishing capacity. Caregivers are commonly burnout from helping their loved ones; hospice may help by providing support and respite care as required.

Hospice care is an excellent option for the patient because of its emotional support. We can help provide a higher quality of life with our team of nurses and volunteers. With our 24/7 care, hospice care is a personalized and tailored way to manage Alzheimer’s.