Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Learn to Reduce your Risk of Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear later in life. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, may have Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is currently ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for help with basic activities of daily living. (Attributed to NIH) On these page you will find the portal to a wide range of local and national resources, information, support groups, and the state plan for Utah to help disseminate these resources and provide professional training.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia?
Dementia is an "umbrella" term used to describe an individual's changes in memory, thinking or behavior.
Types of Dementias
Utah's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias State Plan
Coordinating Council
Resources
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services suggest utilizing the Mini-Cog as the first tool for screening. There are many options out there, here are a few evidence based options that may assist you in diagnosis along with articles that may be helpful.
At this time, dementia cannot be cured. There are medications, treatments and strategies for symptoms that can be very helpful. Studies have show that individuals with dementia can live a happy, fulfilling life after diagnosis. There are promising medications such as Aduhelm that can treat Alzheimer's disease if caught early enough. We suggest you speak with your healthcare provider about questions or concerns regarding your memory, thinking, behaviors or treatments.
The best first step is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). There is a Federal Caregiver Support Program that each of them offer. They will have the most up to date info for you! You can find the Utah AAAs on UtahAging.Org or find one anywhere in the US by visiting the Eldercare website.
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