MONTGOMERY – Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation Commissioner Kathy Sawyer wants to educate Alabamians about two leading health care issues for the elderly. "May is Older Americans Month, which presents us with a perfect opportunity to discuss the facts about dementia and one of its most serious forms, Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions are two common health conditions for seniors," Sawyer said.

Dementia is defined as a group of systems involving progressive impairment of all aspects of brain function. The condition may be diagnosed when there is impairment of two or more brain functions, including language, memory, visual-spatial perception, emotional behavior or personality, and cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstraction, or judgment). "It is important that family members of elderly citizens learn to recognize some of the symptoms of dementia," Sawyer said.

Symptoms of dementia can include progressive loss of memory, inability to concentrate, decreased problem solving skills and judgement capability, confusion, hallucinations and/or delusions, altered sensation or perception, impaired recognition (both visual and sensory), and altered sleep patterns. Other symptoms may include motor system impairment, disorientation, specific problem-solving and/or learning skills, impaired language ability and/or communication skills, both short- and long-term memory deficit, and noticeable personality changes. "Treatment for dementia may involve medication as well as specific environmental and behavior modifications. Senior citizens exhibiting any of these symptoms should consult a medical professional for a diagnosis," Sawyer said.

"Another serious health care issue for seniors is Alzheimer’s disease," Sawyer said. "One form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a distinct condition and is expected to affect growing numbers of elderly Americans as in coming years." Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition of the brain. The disease attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, as well as some surrounding structures, thereby impairing a person's abilities to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns, coordinate movement, and remember. Eventually, the individual with Alzheimer’s disease will lose all memory and mental functioning.

"The demographics of Alzheimer’s disease indicate the seriousness of the condition as a health care issue," Sawyer said. It is estimated that about half of the people living in nursing homes and nearly half of all people over the age of 85 have Alzheimer's disease. It is now the fourth leading cause of death in adults. Almost 2 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease, and unless effective methods for prevention and treatment are developed, it will reach epidemic proportions by the middle of the next century, affecting over 8 million people.

Aside from the elderly, individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s are at a much higher risk to develop the disease. Genetic factors, such as the presence or absence of certain genes, play a prominent role in the onset and development of the disorder. However, certain other factors, like environmental hazards and nutritional deficiencies, are also being investigated as contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s in certain individuals.

"Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should visit their health care provider immediately," Sawyer said. The primary symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are loss of memory and loss of the ability to communicate, which will both gradually become more pronounced over time. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may begin to have difficulty completing daily tasks, may appear disoriented, and may also show personality changes. Depression, general unease, and paranoia may also set in.

RESOURCES

The Dementia Education & Training Act (DETA) created a center for information about geriatric psychiatry on the campus of Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Richard Powers, Director of the DMH/MR Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry, is a national expert in the field of geriatric psychiatry and treatment. He also coordinates the DETA program. Contact the DETA program at (205) 759-0820.