Any treatment requires the right approach, but many people get penic in tough times, and end up discovering myths, wrong information, and irrelevant information when they look for a cure for themselves or their loved ones. This blog page will provide information on Alzheimer’s, facts about Alzheimer’s disease, and myths about Alzheimer’s.
Let’s check out the Alzheimer’s fact sheet to understand this condition in detail. It is estimated that over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Research shows that by 2025, the number may rise to close to 13 million. It is found that 1 in 9 adults age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s. Long-term care and health costs for people with dementia are projected to reach about $384 billion in 2025 and may reach $1 billion by 2025. Alzheimer’s lifetime risk at age 45 is 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 10 men. It is also reported that nearly 12 million Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias live with unpaid care. Alzheimer’s is not only about memory loss; it even kills. 1 in 3 older Americans dies with this disease or another dementia. It kills more than prostate or breast cancer. It is the 6th leading cause of death among people age 65 and older in 2022.
Most of us have no clue about Alzheimer’s disease, and the only way we learn is the hard way: when it happens to someone we love. The little we know about this disease comes from unreliable sources, such as conflicting news reports and various portrayals in movies and on TV. Over the years, there have been innumerable myths about this disease that have led to misconceptions. It’s best to prevent such rumors from standing in the way of our ability to understand and help people who have Alzheimer’s, a progressive and degenerative brain disease that can affect anyone.
The most common 5 myths about alzheimer’s are:
Myth 1: My mother never forgets a thing – she cannot have Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease erases the most recent information stored in the mind, or memories, first. Old memories of the distant past, such as names and places, may persist for some time and do not erode drastically until the second stage of the disease begins. Thus, someone who is recently diagnosed can recall past events and does not experience immediate memory loss.
Myth 2: If you have a long life, then you will get Alzheimer’s
Many people indeed forget things occasionally after middle age. However, not everyone suffers from a brain disorder that seriously affects the thinking ability, including judgment, memory, and gradually personality and behavior — which is what Alzheimer’s does.
Myth 3: Only older adults will get Alzheimer’s
As per the statistics, the majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease are beyond 65 years of age, with half of the people being older than 85. There is a rare form called the ‘early-onset Alzheimer’s ‘that can hit young adults in their 30s, but most commonly affects people in their 50s.
Myth 4: Most people are unaware of Alzheimer’s symptoms
Even in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, people do realize that something’s wrong. They may not know that it is Alzheimer’s, but are aware of memory lapses or trouble performing familiar tasks, such as remembering a TV program schedule or cooking a particular recipe.
Myth 5: It’s genetic – my relatives have Alzheimer’s, so I’ll get it too
The family history of Alzheimer’s may increase your risk slightly, but the role of genetics is still under investigation. If you inherit APOE-e4 from (a risk gene) one or both parents, then there is a chance of getting affected.
The other associated myths for Alzheimer’s are:
Myth: Alzheimer’s disease is totally preventable
Even with all the scientific developments in the world, there is no Alzheimer’s treatment to prevent the disease, as the cause is not known. Research is still being conducted to get more information about Alzheimer’s, but the reason behind the progressive failure of brain cells is still not identified.
Myth: Alzheimer’s will make my dad an angry and aggressive person
It is widely believed that a person with Alzheimer’s will turn into an irate or violent personality. The truth is, there’s a chance of subtle emotional outbursts that can lead to embarrassing situations, but it’s essential to understand that the disease affects every person differently. Some people may also become more reserved or timid as the disease progresses.
Myth : “I won’t get affected with Alzheimer’s as I eat healthy food, exercise, and do not drink.”
Even if you are in terrific health and have access to the best medical care, you may still develop Alzheimer’s. You just can’t be sure with this disease. It can hit you when you are least prepared, and there aren’t any concrete preventive measures.
Myth : There’s no bright side to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
It’s imperative to know that Alzheimer’s is a particularly difficult disease for the sufferer, the doctor and the patient’s family. However, there can be a silver lining to this hard situation. It often brings together scattered or estranged family members and gives children a strong reason to reconnect with their parents.
Though there is no treatment for Alzheimer’s, there are medications available in the market to ease some of the symptoms significantly. It’s best to keep the hope alive and to keep trying harder.
