10 Interesting Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

Although we are understanding Alzheimer’s more than ever before, there’s still so much the average person can still learn. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that is a progressive disease. It destroys important mental functions such as memory, cognitive abilities and more. It impacts family, spouses and friends, yet many don’t know about Alzheimer’s or about the possible causes, risk factors and ways to slow the progression of the disease. To help you form a better understanding of dementia, we’ve put together a list of 10 facts about Alzheimer’s you may not know.

10 Facts and Stats About Alzheimer’s

10 Interesting Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease1. Women Are More Likely to Get Alzheimer’s Disease Than Men

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, nearly twice as many women get Alzheimer’s disease as compared to men. Alzheimer’s symptoms also seem to worsen more rapidly for women. Women with Alzheimer’s tend to experience brain shrinkage on a more severe level. Research suggests this may be due to other health factors.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease May Affect an Individual’s Sense of Smell

An appalling fact about Alzheimer’s from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may lose their sense of smell. This change could also be due to other factors including brain injury, sinus infection, and Parkinson’s disease.

Related Article: The Benefits of Detecting Alzheimer’s Disease In Its Early Stages

3. The Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease is Increasing

According to Alzheimer’s Orange County, “The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will grow each year as the size and proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older continue to increase.” With more than a 40 percent increase from 2015, the number of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to reach 7.1 million by 2025. This will nearly triple in 2050 with a projected 13.8 million.

Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver4. More Than Half of All Individuals With Alzheimer’s Do Not Know They Have It

There are approximately 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, yet more than half of them aren’t aware they have the disease. Although this Alzheimer’s fact may be improbable, it is largely due to the challenges of detecting early-stage Alzheimer’s, which result in many undiagnosed cases.

5. Eighty-Three Percent of Support Provided to Older Adults in the United States is From Family Members & Caregivers

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 83% of support given to older adults comes from family members, unpaid caregivers and close friends. It’s also suggested that almost half of all caregivers help older adults living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Sign Up For Our Memory Care Assisted Living Community & Facility

6. Two-Thirds of Caregivers Are Women

Approximately 30%, or one in three caregivers, are age 65 or older. Two-thirds of caregivers are women, one-third being daughters of those who have dementia. Another unique fact about Alzheimer’s caregivers is 66% of these individuals live with a loved one that has dementia, and one-quarter of those caregivers are known as the “sandwich generation.” This means that they not only care for their aging parents but also for children under age 18.

Related Article: Eating Healthy Foods May Help Delay Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease and Emotional Memories7. Alzheimer’s Disease Does Not Always Impact Emotional Memories

According to Alzheimer’s Net, although Alzheimer’s disease is most commonly known for impaired memory, this is not always the case. We must remember: Alzheimer’s is the rapid decline of brain cells. This affects various cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, judgment, behavior and personality. While memory loss is a frequent symptom, it does not affect every individual equally.

8. Education May Decrease Your Probability of Getting Alzheimer’s Disease

National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports that education can lower the risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease. This is accomplished by keeping the brain active in old age. Help to lower the odds with various activities including learning new languages, taking classes, playing musical instruments and participating in group activities.

9. Brain Degeneration is a Gradual Process

German doctor, Alois Alzheimer, first discovered Alzheimer’s disease in 1906. The patient, Auguste D. was described by the doctor as having memory loss and problems with cognitive functions.

After the deceased patient’s autopsy, Dr. Alzheimer concluded that part of the patient’s brain was shrunken. In 1910, a psychiatrist working with the doctor named the condition Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Brian Structure10. Alzheimer’s Disease Affects the Structure of the Brain

Alzheimer’s disease alters the structure of the brain. The enlargement of brain ventricles, resulting from the shrinkage of certain brain regions such as the cerebral cortex, is just one consequence of Alzheimer’s disease. These alterations may result in challenges related to recognizing movement, orienting gaze toward objects, and changes in the responsiveness of pupils to light.

Benefits of Visiting a Family Member With Alzheimer’s

When was the last time you visited your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Although your family member may struggle with memory loss, visiting those with Alzheimer’s or dementia does make a positive impact, no matter the progression of their disease.

Though your loved one may not remember your relationship, your visit can still enhance the quality of their life by creating meaningful moments. Those with Alzheimer’s still have emotional memories. This means that, while they may not recall an event, they can still remember how it made them feel. Additionally, socializing with your family member can improve their mood and help them relax. Whether you know it or not, loved ones with Alzheimer’s enjoy visits. While they may not always remember your name or how you’re related, it makes a difference and there is still a special connection.

Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiverAlzheimer’s & Dementia Care Programs

If you are caring for an individual with dementia and want to learn more about interesting Alzheimer’s facts, please reach out to our team at (630) 793-0753. Terra Vista is a memory care assisted living community that specializes in caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. We’re wholeheartedly committed to making sure your family member lives a meaningful life. We also offer a memory respite care program, memory therapy programs, and additional caregiving resources for you and your loved one.

Natalie Pic

Meet the Author

NATALIE MCFARLAND, BSN, RN, CDP

Natalie has compiled over eighteen years experience providing outstanding care to people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In addition to being a certified Alzheimer’s and dementia care trainer, McFarland is a licensed continued education instructor for nurses and social workers through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. She has also developed several Alzheimer’s research partnerships. Included in those projects were Dr. Virginia Cruz, Ph.D., RN, Associate Professor of SIUE and Dr. George Grossberg, M.D., Medical Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Saint Louis University. Natalie is a graduate of Southern Illinois University.