Healthy Edge
Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease: Does It Matter?
It’s easy to argue against promoting early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, during Alzheimer’s early stages, most people are very active and independent; why ruin their happiness with a diagnosis? Or, Alzheimer’s has an associated stigma and fear factor; why label someone? In a vacuum, early detection seems like it does more harm than good, but that’s the only place.
Alzheimer’s is an incurable, neurodegenerative disease that affects one in eight Seniors over age 65 and one in two Seniors over age 85. Currently, as many as 5.2 million Americans live with this progressively debilitating disease. Health professionals report that this number is escalating. Why? Baby boomers are aging, Americans are living longer, detection methodologies have improved, and early-onset Alzheimer’s — which has ravaged the lives of adults as young as 30 — is on the rise.
However, Alzheimer’s doesn’t only affect the lives of the afflicted. It’s a harbinger of emotional, health-related and financial woes for many family members, especially when they become instant caregivers.
Each day, Americans with Alzheimer’s depend upon 10 million friends and family for care. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the majority of caregivers are females ages 35-64. They may be your daughters, daughter-in laws, wives, granddaughters or female friends.
Over 40 percent of these unpaid caregivers rate their emotional stress as high or very high. Not only do unpaid caregivers exhibit reduced immune function and slower wound healing when compared to non-caregivers, but they also have higher rates of new hypertension and new coronary heart disease.
Compounding the various financial burdens, unpaid caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s are 68 percent more likely than unpaid caregivers of other Seniors to cut job hours or quit work, losing chances for promotions, income and job-related benefits, including employer contributions to their own retirement savings.
No doubt this article is gloomy and scary, but I hope it conveys the importance of preparing ourselves and loved ones for a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Adequate planning to avoid dire straits is best achieved with early detection, a philosophy that has not yet been embraced in the United States. Nevertheless, American Express, Jay Smith, and the Alzheimer’s Association are planning an American paradigm shift.
American Express is now contributing $1.5 million to the Alzheimer's Disease: Early Detection Matters Initiative proposed by card member Jay Smith. The campaign pays homage to Jay’s wife Patty who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 51, after she began having difficulties performing her banking job. In part because of her youth, doctors were initially convinced that she was clinically depressed.
The initiative focus is two-fold: educating the public about early warning signs that should be brought to a doctor’s attention (please see the text box) and in Jay Smith’s words, “show[ing] the importance of seeking an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s… giving people options for treatment and a better quality of life.”
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease©.
- Frequent inability to recall information just learned (occasionally forgetting names or appointments is normal).
- Difficulty performing routine tasks like making a phone call or fixing dinner.
- Forgetting or misusing simple words. For instance, calling an oven “the thing that cooks food.”
- Time or location disorientation. Those with Alzheimer’s can get lost in familiar neighborhoods.
- Poor or waning judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may uncharacteristically give money to telemarketers or wear inappropriate clothing for temperature extremes.
- Problems with abstract thinking. Although balancing a checkbook challenges most of us, someone with Alzheimer’s may forget how to even use numbers.
- Misplacing items in peculiar places. We all misplace our keys or wallets sometimes, but someone with Alzheimer’s may put a watch in the microwave or a purse in the freezer.
- Mood swings such as going from laughing to crying for no apparent reason.
- Other personality changes including suspicion, frantic confusion, and anger.
- Lethargy. Those with Alzheimer’s may sleep more than usual or refuse to do usual activities.
I give the Alzheimer’s Association website a perfect 10 for being an invaluable resource to patients and families coping with Alzheimer’s. Because the Internet is not for everyone, you can access the Alzheimer’s Association information by calling its 24-hour 7-day helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
For the patient, the Alzheimer’s Association resources include: coping with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, 10 steps to greater independence for individuals with Alzheimer’s, and making job decisions.
Care planning and family-based decision making are also addressed. Topics include active social support networks and caregiving guidelines to legal planning and a review of related tax deductions and credits.
Finally, some recent studies are further documenting that exercise may help stave off Alzheimer’s — even more so than intellectual activities. A few studies suggest that heart-friendly exercises 30 minutes a day are also good for your brain. Additionally, a small (but randomized) clinical trial in the September 3rd issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that brisk walking 2.5 hours per week can increase mental agility. Remember, exercise has additional benefits for your livelihood. So, even if exercise doesn’t prevent Alzheimer’s, it certainly can’t hurt to try it… with your doctor’s permission of course!
Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.
