Dementia is a disorder of the brain which causes problems with a person's memory and cognitive ability, affecting activities of daily living.  Alzheimer's Disease is a specific type of dementia, most often characterized by plaques and tangles found in the brain and is only definitively diagnosed post-mortem. There is no cure for Alzheimer's and the disease ends in death, usually within 5-10 years from diagnosis. According to the National Institute on Aging, as many as 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's Association - National Office Alzheimer's Association - Minnesota and North Dakota Chapter Please follow the link below to visit our nursing home and assisted living facilities page. Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Issues

Young Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease most often appears in people over age the age of 65. However, approximately 5-10% of Alzheimer's diagnoses occur in people under age 65.  This is referred to as "young onset Alzheimer's" or "early onset Alzheimer's."  Most instances of young onset Alzheimer's occur in people in their 50s but it can occur earlier; the earliest known Alzheimer's diagnosis occurred in a 29-year old person.  Research shows that those who develop young onset Alzheimer's have genetic dispositions that can be identified through testing. However, genetic screening has the potential to raise many concerns, so a person should think carefully about whether or not they should pursue testing. Those diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's are often dealing with issues that are very different than those diagnosed with with late onset Alzheimer's, such as working or having young children as dependents.

Medication Management

Older adults often take multiple medications to manage many concurrent health concerns.  Since older adults may have cognitive impairments or visual deficits making it difficult to administer medications, it is very important for the older person or the older person’s caregiver to be especially careful in administering medication. Side effects of improper dosages of medicine include: nausea stomach ache constipation diarrhea headaches dizziness confusion blurred vision and change in mood.  Before beginning a new prescription, a patient should make sure he or she knows why the doctor has prescribed it.  The patient should also read all instructions for taking the medicine, and become informed about any possible side effects of the drug as well as possible cross-reactions to any other medications the patient is taking.  Other suggestions include requesting easy to open containers and containers with large print labels from the pharmacy.    The patient should carry a medication card that lists all of his medications, indicating the dosage amount and time for each. If the older person sees more than one doctor, each doctor should be informed by the patient or caregiver as to all medications that the patient takes.  Pillboxes, calendars, and charts can be helpful in organizing medication.  Colored stickers stuck to the top of each bottle also can be a reminder for when a medication needs to be taken.  Many products are available which help an older person remember to take their medications on time, such as personal alarms that ring at a set time each day.

Advance Directives

An Advance Directive, formerly called a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, is a document that allows an individual to give specific instructions for health care providers to follow under certain circumstances. In general, state statutes allow an individual to make a written declaration instructing his or her physician to provide, withhold, or withdraw medical care, including life-sustaining treatment and/or artificial nutrition and hydration, under certain circumstances. A person may also appoint another person as his or her health care agent or proxy to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf. An agent should make health care decisions in accordance with the principal's instructions and any other wishes or values to the extent known to the agent. Otherwise, the agent should make treatment decisions in accordance with his or her determination of the principal's best interest. In determining the principal's best interest, the agent should consider the principal's personal values to the extent known to the agent. Most state statutes require that Advance Directives be: In writing; Signed by the person making the Advance Directive for health care or by another in in the principal's presence and at the principal's expressed direction; Dated; Signed in the presence of two or more witnesses. States may also have specific requirements regarding who is able to witness an advance directive. In many states, a witness may not be: Anyone who signed the advance directive for health care on behalf of and at the direction of the principal; Appointed as the principal's health care proxy; Related to the declarant by blood, adoption, or marriage; Entitled to any portion of the principal's estate; Directly financially responsible for the principal's medical care. Some states have specific actions that must be taken by the individual appointed as the proxy or health care agent before the Advanced Directive can become effective. Generally, unless otherwise specified, an Advance Directive becomes effective when the attending physican determines that the principal is no longer able to understand, appreciate, and direct his or her medical treatment, and the principal has a qualifying condition, such as a terminal illness or injury, or is in a state of permanent unconsciousness. If a health care provider refuses to comply with the directions of an advance directive or designated proxy, the provider must indicate this to the principal and/or proxy so that the care for the principal can be transferred to another health care provider. No nurse, physician, or other health care provider may be required by law or contract in any circumstances to participate in the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment if such person objects to so doing. Healthcare providers, insurers, health care institutions and hospitals cannot require a patient to execute a health care directive or obtain a “do not resuscitate order” from a physician as a conditions of receiving services or being insured. Fifty State Survey - Advance Directive Statutes Before and After You Complete An Advance Directive Advance Directive Wallet Card Health Related Links and Articles