Is there a Genetic Link to Alzheimer’s Disease?

 

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a campaign created to raise awareness and challenge the many stigmas that surround this disease. If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s then you know how frustrating, difficult, and confusing the disease can be. And navigating the situation while continuing to support your loved one can be tough. Medical researchers are working hard to understand more about Alzheimer’s and answer one common question: “Is Alzheimer’s disease genetic?” 

Here’s what the latest research says:

There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: late onset and early onset. Late onset represents most of Alzheimer’s cases and people typically start to show signs in their mid-60s or later. While researchers have not found an identifiable gene responsible for late-onset Alzheimer’s, there is a gene called the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene that increases a person’s risk. Everyone inherits two forms of the APOE gene – one from each biological parent – but inheriting the APOE gene does not necessarily mean you will get Alzheimer’s. Similarly, people who did not inherit the APOE gene from either parent are sometimes diagnosed with the disease. 

Early onset Alzheimer’s is much more rare,and usually occurs between ages 30 and 60. While not all cases are genetic, there are three inherited single-gene mutations believed to be associated with early onset Alzheimer’s. For a person whose biological parent carries one of these three genetic mutations, there is a 50% chance that person will inherit the mutation which may lead to developing early onset Alzheimer’s. 

Having a parent who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease does not strictly mean you will also get it. Research shows that if you have a sibling or a parent with Alzheimer’s you are more likely to develop the disease, but it’s not a guarantee. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia and dementias typically run in families but researchers are still trying to determine if it’s caused by hereditary factors, environmental factors, or some combination of both. 

If Alzheimer’s disease runs in your family, you can take a blood test to determine if you have any of the genes that increase your likelihood of being diagnosed. But it’s important to keep in mind that there is no current test that can tell you definitively if you will develop the disease or not. In order to monitor for early signs of Alzheimer’s, experts recommend understanding your family’s medical history, being aware of the signs and symptoms, having consistent conversations with your doctor, and checking in with family members regularly. 

Assisted living for your loved one

When someone you love receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis there are many factors to consider. First and most importantly is their safety and well-being, and unfortunately most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will struggle to continue living independently after a period of time. An assisted living facility with around-the-clock care and security, but that also allows your loved one to maintain their lifestyle and retain their independence, is often the best way forward. 

At United Methodist Communities our residents enjoy personalized care and have full access to many amenities including housekeeping and maintenance services, health monitoring, medication assistance, and more. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, our facility ensures they are always healthy and safe at all times and you’ll also have peace of mind knowing they’re being cared for by professionals. 

For information about Pitman, our assisted living community in Gloucester County, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Original Content posted on https://umcommunities.org/health-wellness/is-there-a-genetic-link-to-alzheimers-disease/

Helpful Communication Strategies for Dementia

Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions progressively diminish mental capacity as they worsen, including a patient’s ability to communicate with and understand the people around them. Here are some insights from our assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ on developing an effective way to communicate with your loved one.

Common communication problems for dementia patients: 

• Struggling to find the right word
• Describing an object rather than calling it by its name
• Mixing up word order while speaking
• Finding it difficult to complete a sentence or express a train of thought in full
• Using gestures rather than words
• Repeating familiar words too often

How to get the most out of your communication with your loved one: 

• Create a distraction-free zone. To encourage your loved one to focus on you and what you are saying, pick a time and a quiet and calm place where no one is likely to interrupt. This allows them to focus their effort on you and the conversation.
• Steady your tone. Communicating can be frustrating. While you may be stressed or worried, if you want to communicate effectively with your loved one, you have to leave that all at the door. Relax, use a warm, calm tone and speak naturally without condescension or baby talk.
• Use names. Following a conversation takes a lot of energy and effort for many dementia patients.Using names rather than “he,” “she” or “they” helps your loved one stay on track and avoids confusion and unnecessary repetition.
• Stick to one topic at a time. It’s natural for us to jump from topic to topic and go off on a tangent, but this can be difficult for your loved one to follow. Rather, stick to one thread of conversation and only move on after you are both fully finished on that topic.
• Patience. The more progressive your loved one’s condition, the more patience you will need to have a productive conversation with them. Give them time to express what they are trying to say, actively listen to and consider their answer, and breathe deeply and let the moment pass if you start feeling frustrated.

Above all else, it’s important to remember that there will be good days and bad days with your loved one. Some days will bring good conversation while other days it will be better to simply sit quietly with your loved one and let them take comfort from your presence.

Alzheimer’s and dementia care and support at our assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ 

Collingswood is part of the United Methodist Communities’ network of high-quality, non-profit assisted living communities specializing in residential and assisted living for seniors. In addition to our wide range of customized services for seniors, we also offer expert memory care and support services for patients with dementia conditions.

To find out more about United Methodist Communities or our assisted living services, please contact us at https://pitman.umcommunities.org and book your visit today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/helpful-communication-strategies-dementia/

Understanding different types of dementia

Dementia is a term that covers a category of diseases and conditions that primarily cause memory loss through physical changes to the brain. Here’s a guide to the different conditions in this category:

• Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s accounts for between 60 and 80% of dementia conditions. It has been known to cause short-term memory loss, confusion, apathy, behavior changes, depression, decreased communication skills and decreased judgment. This is the result of beta-amyloid protein deposits (known as plaques) or twisted tau proteins (tangles) in the brain cells that lead to nerve cell damage and cell death.
• Parkinson’s disease: A progressive disease that affects movement, it can lead to dementia symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s. Parkinson’s disease is caused by the development of clumps of alpha-synuclein protein deep within the brain that lead to nerve degeneration.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1, this disease often affects alcoholics. This vitamin plays an important role in brain function and nerve cells cannot function properly without it, leading to severe memory loss.
• Huntington’s disease: This is caused by a defective gene on Chromosome 4, which results in abnormal brain proteins. Over time, this disease worsens, leading to involuntary movements, a decline in thinking and reasoning abilities, irritability and mood changes.
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus: Caused by a buildup of fluid in the brain, patients experience memory loss, as well as difficulty with urinary control and walking.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: Known as ‘mad cow disease,’ this fatal brain disease can be transmitted to people in certain circumstances, impairing memory and coordination.
• Frontotemporal dementia: Little is known about this category of diseases, which includes primary progressive aphasia and Pick’s disease, as there is currently a lack of research-based evidence to link each case. These conditions affect the front and sides of the brain and include symptoms such as personality changes, difficulty with language and behavioral changes.

Memory care and support services from assisted living specialists

At United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, we understand that caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia can be stressful and emotionally draining, and as the disease progresses it may become impossible for you to manage without qualified support.

This is why we offer specialist memory support and care services specifically geared toward assisting Alzheimer’s and other dementia residents. By focusing on providing onsite customized care plans and activities within our comfortable apartment-style community, we help ensure your loved one maintains his or her dignity and quality of life.

To find out more about our services for Alzheimer’s patients, please contact the nearest UMH today:

UMH Bristol Glen in Sussex County, NJ: (973) 300-5788

UMH Collingswood Manor in Camden County, NJ: (856) 854-4331

UMH Francis Asbury Manor in Monmouth County, NJ: (732) 774-1316

UMH Pitman Manor in Gloucester County, NJ: (856) 589-7800

UMH The Shores in Cape May County, NJ: 609-399-8505

For more information, visit www.umh-nj.org.

This content was originally posted at http://www.umh-nj.org/blog/understanding-different-types-of-dementia/

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition which affects the brain and its ability to function normally in areas such as memory, problem solving and language. Generally, it occurs in people over the age of 65, although in some cases, people develop it in their 40s and 50s. As one of the leading causes of dementia, it is estimated that Alzheimer’s affects around 5 million Americans – a number that is expected to increase as our population ages.

Early signs of Alzheimer’s include:

• Memory lapses (for example, forgetting where you’ve put something in the house).
• Forgetting recent events.
• Getting lost on routes which should be familiar.
• Missing important appointments or special events.
• Difficulty recalling a name or word in conversation.

As this is a progressive disease, later symptoms are much more severe:

• The inability to follow a conversation.
• Unnecessarily repeating things in conversation.
• Difficulty carrying out a set of instructions or routine (getting dressed, folding clothes, cooking, etc.).
• Dramatic personality changes, occasionally accompanied by aggression, irritation and depression.
• Problems judging distances, navigating physical obstacles and seeing in three-dimensions.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Confusion over dates, times and locations.

The Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s 

Dementia is a category of symptoms grouped around the ability to perform mental tasks, while Alzheimer’s is a disease that has symptoms which fall into the dementia category. There are many forms of dementia, some of which can be treated very successfully. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s and scientists aren’t sure exactly what causes the disease, although genetics, hypertension and the aging process itself are known to be risk factors.

Memory Care and Support Services from United Methodist Homes of New Jersey 

At United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, we understand that caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s can be stressful and emotionally draining and, as the disease progresses, it may become impossible for you to manage without qualified support.

This is why we offer specialized memory support and care services specifically geared towards assisting people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia. By focusing on onsite customized care plans and activities within our comfortable apartment-style community, we ensure your loved one maintains his or her dignity and quality of life at all times.

To find out more about our Memory Support services, please contact UMH today or visit www.umh-nj.org.

This content was originally published at http://www.umh-nj.org/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-alzheimers-disease/