Alzheimer Disease:
Early Diagnosis & Treatment
Alzheimer Disease is the most common form of dementia, or cognitive impairment. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 290,000 Canadians over 65 have the disease.
More than 50 percent of Canadians know someone with the disease and almost one in four have someone with the disease in their family.
International researchers have made progress in developing diagnostic tools; however, prevention and treatment remain elusive.
A few years ago excitement grew when newly developed medications appeared to slow the progress of Alzheimer Disease. Many were encouraged when their family member returned to more independent functioning, and became more social again. However, these improvements turned out to be temporary. Eventually, the disease continued to progress.
Still, early diagnosis is helpful to both individuals and families. Individuals have the opportunity to express future wishes about care, and treatment options. They can write important documents such as power of attorney and personal health care directives.
The family can learn more about the disease, and prepare for the physical, emotional, and social changes that will occur as the disease progresses.
In terms of treatment, individuals can enroll in programs to help retain mental functioning for as long as possible. One such program is Cognitive Retention Therapy .
"Cognitive Retention Therapy is a graduated program of text and activity based memory and thinking exercises. Utilizing each individual's unique life story as the focus of the program materials used, participants exercise the cognitive steps necessary to search for alternative paths to previously well-established memory information (memory bridging)."
For more information, visit the website of Cognitive Retention Therapy www.crt-intl.com
For more information on dementia and Alzheimer Disease, visit www.alzheimer.ca
Vol.3, No.1
© ElderWise Inc. 2007.
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