Alzheimer's Essay

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, accounting for 65–70% of all cases (Jellinger, Janetzky, Attems, & Kienzl, 2008). The other dementias are of the Parkinson 's group, the fronto-temporal group and the vascular group. The total worldwide yearly costs for the treatment and care of patients suffering from dementia are estimated to be around 250 billion US dollars. The lifetime risk for AD between the ages of 65 and 100 is 33% for men and 45% for women with an annual increase of 1–2% in the seventh decade to almost 60% in the 10th decade with doubling every 5 years (Jellinger et al., 2008). AD is incurable, and thus represents a major public health problem. AD represents a challenge to humanity due to its relatively recent discovery, progressive nature of the illness, and complex diagnosis.

It not only affects the patient, but also burdens their family financially. Gale Opposing Viewpoint In Context on Alzheimer’s disease notifies, “[…] the disease threaten to bankrupt families, businesses, and the U.S. health care system” (Gale, Paragraph 24). Consequently, without any cure for Alzheimer’s a continuation of large amount of currency is spent on medical care for people with AD. For example, Medicare, Employment Health Benefits, and families are spending an abundant amount of money for around the clock care and medications. Predicting if the assumption of the disease rate continue to rise over the years and left uncured, imagine how much more money would have to be spent for health care. If those with AD gene volunteer and participate in clinical trials for personal purposes before symptoms present, it would help researches understand the disease’s development more and create a little prospect for a cure in the near-term future.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s, I know firsthand how it affects individuals and their families. My great grandfather had Alzheimer’s for many years before his passing late last year, at age 92. Alzheimer’s is a disease that many individuals suffer with each year, but yet with all the advancements in modern medicine we still have no cure for it. There are different ways to conquer this disease, understanding the causes, knowing effects, and researching possible treatments.

By the numbers, Alzheimer’s disease looks even worse than it may be. The cost of Alzheimer’s overwhelms the caregiver and everyone involved with the patient. The price businesses pay for Alzheimer’s it detrimental to their industry, show by “A 2002 study showed that United States businesses lost $36.5 billion that year because employees missed work or quit and had to be replaced so that they could care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease” (Adams 24). The caregivers play vital roles in the lives of the sufferer, but the business take an even heavier loss. Heath care is necessary for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, however it can get expensive “The costs of

In the United States there are approximately 5.4 million people living with Alzheimer’s. Every sixty-nine seconds a person is diagnosed. This is an ongoing issue, and unless something is done, sixteen million people will be affected by 2050 (Latest).

A major devastating and debilitating disease, Alzheimer 's is a public health issue that affects not only the United States but also countries all around the world. In 2010, there were 35.6 million people living with Alzheimer’s. Researchers and medical personnel expect this number to triple by the year 2050. The disease is costing America an exorbitant amount of money and has become a burden on families, caregivers, medical personnel, the healthcare system, and the nation’s economy. If attention is not focused on this major problem, “nursing homes will be overloaded, caregivers will be burned out, healthcare system will be overwhelmed, and federal and state budgets will be overtaxed” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2011).

People argue with the detail that because Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease where progress is slow, the disease can occur in a person up to many decades before their death, which leads to a high cost within the government and within the families (Reid). Despite that, Alzheimer’s Disease cannot disappear on its own and “‘how can the government spend 200 billion dollars annually on care and less than 1% on research’” (qtd. in Gwinn). The problem of not finding a cure is not because there’s a high cost for nothing, but because the money is not being spent correctly (Gwinn). The costs should not be the reason to give up on millions of people struggling with a

According to studies, more than 5 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is

     It is inevitable that eventually each of us will grow old and begin to face more and more health problems as our age rises. Elderly people are challenged by many illnesses and diseases that unfortunately, are incurable. One disease that becomes more common as people age is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s a common cause and a form of dementia and can severely damage a patient’s cognitive functions and can ultimately cause death. Living with Alzheimer’s disease can be saddening for both the sufferer and the family. Family and friends will find it very hard to cope when a loved one begins slipping away and losing memory of who they are.

The words moved into her mind, like leaves on an autumn breeze. She awoke to find the phone between her cheek and the pillow, the insistent buzzing the only sound from the black receiver. Had there been a voice on the line? Or had she only dreamed it? Or was she even hallucinating? She had had dreams before, but the kind that would wake her like an alarm bell. Heart pounding, pulse racing, it would take her several moments to get her to know where she was and that she had been dreaming.

New research has brought out information that shows a promising prevention of this disease but researchers cant further their knowledge without more money. Not only does she want to find a cure but she also wants to help families and caregivers in the process by”providing tax relief to family members who care for ailing parents and grandparents… expanding access to family caregiver respite, supporting paid family leave for caregivers, and creating a new Care Workers Initiative across the federal government to address the needs of paid caregivers”. (An End to Alzheimer's Disease,

He still grasped and held my hand like he used to, but this time, he inquired as to who I was. He couldn’t quite recall my name or fathom as to why I would be coming to him. The affliction only became worse from there, and every year, it took him longer and longer to recognize me, even with my mom and his wife’s prompting. Eventually Bud forgot me, and that hurt. But I cannot even imagine the overwhelming agony his wife endured. Bud forgot her too. He forgot everyone. Alzheimer 's is terrifying. The slightly confused smile as well as the listlessness exhibited in your loved one’s eyes as you introduce yourself, and tell them where they know you from. That moment when you realize they truly don’t remember. Terrifying. My question is this: Why don’t more people know about this deadly disease? Why is there not more funding pouring in from around the nation? After all, a disease that claims the lives of about 1,920 people ages 65 and up per day (700,000 per year) (“Facts And Figures”) deserves a little more attention. Remember, this number is just the deaths and doesn’t even include the over five million people who currently live with Alzheimer’s (“Facts and Figures”) or those who must step up daily and reteach their loved ones the most simple of tasks time after time. So join me, as I travel through this largely underestimated disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes”(AFA 1). Millions of adults of the age 65 and older have been diagnosed with this serve diseases . Based on their condition they should be placed in a nursing home , because they're going to get the treatment they need . It also prevents the patients from hurting themselves and other members of the family. Nursing homes can benefit the patients in many ways and help, them accept their condition. Patients are able to interact with people with their same condition or have a different illness. They also provide counseling for the family members of the alzheimer's patients where they give them the support they need , and they’re able to learn more about the illness of their loved ones .

It’s 1965, my legs have gone numb as I sit cross legged on the soft carpet, flipping through piles of medical bills. They say his condition is improving, that he will be able to recall simple memories. I think to myself how impossible it seems at this moment, after watching him wake up every morning, lost and confused as to who I am, who he is. It’s like he doesn't have control over his own body.

Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 out of every 8 people in the United States. It is a long and debilitating disease that affects every aspect of a person’s life from the way they preform daily tasks, to the physical and mental abilities that are diminishing. Along with the lifestyle changes that Alzheimer’s disease presents, it also affects one’s psychological perspective as well their view on what they can offer their family and society. There are some ways to maintain a level of independence with a disease of this magnitude but there are also factors in lifestyle choices that can make it worse. Alzheimer cannot be cured, it cannot be slowed, but there are ways to keep the effected person at a certain level of comfort, independence and safety