Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Doctors and scientists know a lot about Alzheimer’s, but we still do not know what causes the disease or how to stop it.

We do know that Alzheimer’s disease damages the parts of the brain that control memory, thought and language. Each person who has Alzheimer’s will have their own unique version of the disease. The individual version is determined by how the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease spreads throughout the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Research shows that mental activity, physical exercise, and foods a person eats may help delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are worried about Alzheimer’s disease, the Ayer Neuroscience Institute Memory Care Center can help you find out if you have a memory problem. It is important to see a doctor as early as you can. Not all memory lapses are Alzheimer’s disease.

If it turns out that you are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease or if it looks like you have it, the Memory Care Center can help you understand the disease and the treatments for it.


Symptoms

The chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases as a person gets older. Changes in the brain begin years – or even decades – before the first symptoms appear.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease. It usually starts with mild memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease can lead to trouble with conversations. People with Alzheimer’s disease can find it hard to cope with the things that are happening around them. Over time, people with Alzheimer’s disease find it harder and harder to carry out daily activities.

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s get worse slowly over time. You may:

  • Have trouble making decisions
  • Be confused about what time and day it is
  • Get lost in places you know well
  • Have trouble learning and remembering new information
  • Have trouble finding the right words to say what you want to say
  • Have more trouble doing daily tasks like cooking a meal or paying bills

Screening & Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

Your doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. You may be asked to do some simple things that test your memory and other mental skills. Your doctor may also check how well you can do daily tasks.

The exam usually includes blood tests to look for other causes. You may have tests such as CT scans and MRI scans, which look at your brain. By themselves, these tests can't show for sure whether you have Alzheimer’s.

Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

There is no cure, but there are medications that may slow it down. Also, it is very important to understand the disease so that you can live your best life with it and plan for the future.

Memory Care Center

  • Location

    Address:
    1260 Silas Deane Highway
    Suite 101
    Wethersfield, CT 06109
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  • Contact Us

    Phone: 860.545.7550
    Fax: 860.545.7180

  • Hours

    Monday – Friday
    8:00 AM – 4:30 PM