Alzheimer's: 6 life-changing shifts — Magazine bluon | bluon

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Alzheimer's: 6 life-changing shifts

Alzheimer: 6 cambiamenti che segnano una vita

September 21 marks World Alzheimer's Day, the most common form of senile dementia.

Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease with a course lasting from 8 to 20 years. A long period of time in which the first warning signs precede what will later become actual symptoms, which grow progressively more acute as the disease advances. Browse the gallery to learn more.

Alzheimer's is like a hurricane that overwhelms and upends multiple lives simultaneously: that of the patient as well as that of family members. Let's look together at some of the most impactful symptoms and changes, both on the clinical and emotional level as well as on the organizational level.

1. MEMORY. The most well-known symptom concerns the loss of memory related to recent events. As time goes by, the patient will eventually no longer recognize even family members and friends.

2. DAILY LIFE. For those affected by Alzheimer's, it becomes increasingly difficult to carry out and complete normal work, social or daily life activities, make decisions, handle unexpected situations and solve problems of various kinds. This situation is destined to evolve into a constant need for assistance.

3. FREE TIME. A gradual apathy sets in over time, which translates into the loss of interests and the progressive abandonment of hobbies and, often, of social life.

bluon_alzheimer_2 — 4. COMMUNICATION. Language disorders also appear gradually, such as difficulties in remembering the names of objects and in correctly expressing one's thoughts, the use of stereotyped phrases and vocabulary reduction. The situation is destined to deteriorate to the point of total inability to produce and understand language.

5. SENSE OF REALITY. Spatial-temporal disorientation is unfortunately inevitable. A sense of bewilderment and confusion attributable to memory loss, difficulty in recognizing environments, things or people around oneself, inability to perceive and mark the passage of time.

6. BEHAVIOR. One of the most difficult symptoms for family, friends and caregivers to accept is the alteration of personality. From mood swings, to attitudes of suspicion and aggression towards other people, to the development of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, delusions and actual hallucinations.

Research, awareness and prevention are fundamental pillars: let's not remain indifferent and always remember the importance of information and education!