Alzheimer’s Disease: More Than Just Memory Loss: An Awareness of the Disease and an Active Plan of Coping Strategies and Caregiving

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease which leads to progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age. During the disease’s progression, various biochemical functions of the brain cells go astray and eventually lead to memory loss. What a lot of people do not always realize is the fact this disease goes beyond just losing memory. From my own observation as well as research studies, it has been noted that AD patients can experience sleep disruption, sundowning, speech decline, apraxia, agnosia, and behavioral changes such as depression and combativeness. As more of these signs and symptoms become evident to me, I conducted a plan as to how people who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease can cope with them and those who experience the disease themselves can learn to improve everyday functions as the disease progresses. This thesis constitutes an awareness of all aspects of Alzheimer’s and a compilation of the best method for treatment and prevention