Overview
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 496,000 people in the UK. The term 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. This fact sheet outlines the symptoms and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, and describes what treatments are currently available.
Alzheimer's disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain.
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.
Symptoms
People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, they may:
- become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events
- experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss
- become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems
- have difficulty carrying out everyday activities - they may get muddled checking their change at the shops or become unsure how to work the TV remote.
As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's will need more support from those who care for them. Eventually, they will need help with all their daily activities.
While there are some common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it is important to remember that everyone is unique. No two people are likely to experience Alzheimer's disease in the same way.
Extract taken from Alzheimers.org
My experience with Alzheimer's disease.
I have grown up experiencing the effects of Alzheimer's for about 10 years now, although it has only been this past year in which the effects have really become apparent and have really taken their toll on us as a family. In all honesty, I don't remember a time where my Grandma has not been effected by Alzheimer's, however occasionally we get insightful glimpses into herself prior to the diagnosis. My Grandma's Alzheimer's has meant she has found it especially difficult with communication and mobility and therefore been a struggle for my Grandad who has capably cared for her since she was diagnosed. Recently however she has had to move into a home, as my documentary film shows. In terms of the film, I wanted to initially capture the struggle we have faced "taking a step" with Alzheimer's or so to speak. Therefore I would have used progressive clips of my Grandma slowly entering our house. However, the worsening of her condition meant that I couldn't capture this. Her movement into a home has really let me observe the patience and care, that care-workers truly have. They dedicate their days to looking after those who can't look after themselves which for me is completely overwhelming. I really wanted the film to be a dedication to the care my Grandad has put in over these past 10 years. If I was to continue the film into a series of episodes, I would have loved to focus on the care workers and their commitment.
Alzheimer's Documentaries.
Often in film, Alzheimer's disease is portrayed as forgetfulness or clumsiness, when actually the reality is a lot harsher than just that. There are several documentaries that I observed when researching Alzheimer's that really opened my eyes and revealed the true nature of Alzheimer's.
In Danville, California, Lee Gorewitz wanders on a personal odyssey through her Alzheimer's & Dementia care unit. From the moment she wakes up, Lee is on a quest -- for reminders of her past and of her identity. A total immersion into the fragmented day-to-day experience of mental illness, "You're Looking At Me Like I Live Here And I Don't" is filled with charismatic vitality and penetrating ruminations that challenge our preconceptions of illness and aging. Here is one extraordinary woman who will not let us forget her, even as she struggles to remember herself.
"You're Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don't" can be an invaluable and instructive tool for doctors, caregivers and family members of people living with Alzheimer's Disease, as well as for teachers and students in diverse academic fields, such as Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Biochemistry, Nursing, Gerontology, Pathophysiology, and Film Studies.
"You're looking at Me Like I Live Here" is an insightful documentary that specifically observes the effects on the sufferer, providing a truthful insight into the actual effects of the disease. Although, it is true that Alzheimer's is not all the same, it can have different effects on different people, this film still provides a deep and meaningful view into Alzheimer's disease.
While there is no cure for the disease, THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT shows there is now genuine reason to be optimistic about the future. Created by the award-winning team behind HBO's acclaimed "Addiction" project, this multi-platform series takes a close look at groundbreaking discoveries made by the country's leading scientists, as well as the effects of this debilitating and fatal disease both on those with Alzheimer's and on their families.
What I found really inspirational about this documentary series was it's focus on the effects of Alzheimer's on the sufferers families. This angle shows how deep the disease is and how it has such an overwhelming effect on everyone that surrounds the sufferer. The film itself focuses on the emotional struggles of different families and their experiences with Alzheimer's disease.
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