How Alzheimer’s Disease Affects People

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There are over 100 types of dementia, even juvenile dementias. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia,1 accounting for about 60-70% of cases.2

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes problems with thinking and planning, memory loss, and behavior.3 At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.3 But, companies and researchers are working hard to discover effective treatment and prevention methods.

Experts are not entirely sure what causes Alzheimer’s4 which likely is one of the reasons developing treatments and prevention strategies is difficult. We do know that essentially every brain that has Alzheimer’s has beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles.5 However, these plaques have been found in healthy brains too, so we know that it is not the definitive cause, but definitely a piece of the puzzle.

Alzheimer’s Disease impacts brain cells (called neurons). Plaque grows between brain cells, blocking them from communicating with each other. Tangles prevent the cells from obtaining necessary nutrients. Ultimately, brain tissue is lost and the brain shrinks.6

These changes to the brain affect various abilities and functions.

  • Usually Alzheimer’s attacks the hippocampus (responsible for short-term memory) first. This is why memory loss is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s.3 Memory loss, and possibly disorientation, are typically the first behavioral changes we notice.
  • The hypothalamus (responsible for hormone production) is often affected next. You may see changes in appetite, thirst, sex drive, and internal body temperature (for example, needing a sweater when you always used to run hot). Changes to sleep patterns are also common (e.g., waking up for the day at 2am).7
  • Alzheimer’s also attacks the emotion house of the brain, the amygdala. You may see mood swings or emotional reactions that are not usual for the person or not in proportion with what has occurred. You may see more anxiety, sadness, anger, and agitation. Paranoia is not uncommon (if I put my keys on the coffee table and move them, but don’t remember I moved them, then someone obviously stole them).7,8
  • The frontal lobe, responsible for higher-order thinking like planning, scheduling, decision-making, and judgment, is affected as well. This is also where our filter is stored, so we may say and do things we would never do if our brain was not under attack.7
  • The cerebellum, in charge of balance and coordination, is also impacted. It is common for people with Alzheimer’s to bump into things or fall.
  • If the occipital lobe is attacked, a person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble making sense of what they are seeing.7 Hallucinations (seeing something that is not actually there) or misperceptions (e.g., interpreting a spot on the rug as a hole in the ground) are examples.
  • After impacting these other areas of the brain, Alzheimer’s initiates more damage to the temporal lobe (where it started with the hippocampus). Long-term memory (memories of personal history, how to do things) and language are then affected (e.g., understanding what you are saying, expressing what they want to say, remembering what they were saying in the middle of their sentence).7,8

There are some abilities and areas of the brain that are not affected by Alzheimer’s (for example, the area of the brain responsible for derogatory language)! Coupled with the lack of a working filter, you may hear some language you never heard from the person with Alzheimer’s as this language is easily accessible.9 Enjoyment of music, rhythm, and non-verbal communication are also preserved and offer great opportunities for engaging and communicating with people with Alzheimer’s. Hugs, holding hands, eye contact, tone of voice, and body posture are all understood and continue to be ways to meaningfully connect. Incorporating non-verbal communication and music into your activities to optimize your engagement with the person with Alzheimer’s is useful, but also know that you don’t have to be a entertainer.10 Your presence alone is enjoyable and beneficial for your person with Alzheimer’s.11

 

This article is part of MNRAAA’s partnership with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, discussing Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Health, and accessing resources for prevention, education, and caregiver support. Guest authors Robyn Birkeland, PHD and Katie Louwagie, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C* are part of the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team at the University of Minnesota.

 

References

  1. Statistics about dementia. Dementia Statistics Hub. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/
  2. Subtypes of dementia. Dementia Statistics Hub. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/subtypes/
  3. What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
  4. What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-causes-alzheimers-disease
  5. What Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-disease
  6. Video: How Alzheimer’s Changes the Brain. National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/video-how-alzheimers-changes-brain
  7. Understanding parts of the brain | Alzheimer’s Society. Published March 18, 2021. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-dementia-progresses/parts-brain
  8. Alzheimer’s stages: How the disease progresses. Mayo Clinic. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-stages/art-20048448
  9. Dementia, Swearing & Foul Language. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/video/swearing/
  10. Art and Music. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music
  11. Communication and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications
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June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

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As we age, we commonly experience times when we forget why we entered a room or where we put our keys. Those experiences are often ratified by recalling the reason for going into the kitchen or remembering the keys on the nightstand. Many would say, “Oh, it must be me losing my mind,” or another quip relating to Alzheimer’s Disease. But in fact, this is quite normal. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. A recent report from the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that over 100,000 Minnesotans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s. We expect this number to increase over the next few years.

MNRAAA will partner with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health this month. We will be discussing Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Health, and accessing resources for prevention, education, and caregiver support.

Robyn Birkeland, PHD, will enlighten us on the effects of Alzheimer’s. Robyn earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota. Robyn is an interventionist with the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team with over 20 years of coaching experience with adults and families.

Katie Louwagie, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C*, will discuss brain health. Katie is a project specialist on the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team at the University of Minnesota. She earned her doctorate in nursing practice, with a focus on adult-gerontological health, at the University of Minnesota. Katie has practiced as a nurse practitioner providing on-site primary care in the long-term care setting.

Finally, we will conclude June with resources and training opportunities. MNRAAA has been fortunate to partner with Robyn and Katie’s colleague Dr. Joe Gaugler. Dr. Gaugler has been traveling to each county in Minnesota, providing education and training to caregivers about Alzheimer’s.

June also features the longest day, or the day which has the most sunlight. The summer solstice falls on June 21st this year.  The Alzheimer’s Association hosts numerous events to bring to light this disease.

We hope that you find these articles educational. I encourage you to help us spread this information to your friends, family, neighbors, and community. Through regular communication, we can continue to bring to light this disease. If you are interested in doing more within your community, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at mnraaa.org for additional information.

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Ashley Hagen Named Program Developer

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Ashley Hagen

We are pleased to announce Ashley Hagen as MNRAAA’s newest Program Developer. Ashley will work in Blue Earth, Nicollet, Brown, Watonwan, Sibley, Le Sueur, Waseca, Martin and Faribault counties.

Ashley has worked for MNRAAA for the past five years in the Senior LinkAge Line. She has previously held the roles of Case Aide, Information & Assistance Specialist, and, most recently, a Community Living Specialist in the Return to Community Department. Before joining MNRAAA, Ashley worked at Prairie River Home Care as Authorization Specialist and Recruiting Coordinator at assisted living and nursing homes in the Mankato area.

Ashley lives in Eagle Lake and enjoys live music, trying new food places, pickleball, pinball, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

When asked why she accepted the Program Develop position, Ashley stated, “I am excited to bring the experience and knowledge I gained through the Senior LinkAge Line to this new role. This position gives me an opportunity for continued professional growth.”

“MNRAAA is fortunate to have Ashley in this role. Through her time working on the Senior LinkAge Line side, she has seen the gaps in services. Now she can take that information to assist communities in expanding their ability to care for older adults and caregivers.” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director.

Ashley can be reached at ahagen@mnraaa.org or by calling 507-387-1256.

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Support Funding for Aging Services in Greater Minnesota

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Local services funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA) through the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) are at risk of losing funding. The OAA funds critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent, including meals, homemaker assistance, chores, caregiver support, transportation, and more. The Minnesota Board on Aging is tasked to create an equitable funding formula across the State. The outcome of the proposed formula, the Intrastate Funding Formula (IFF), would cut funds to greater Minnesota. The existing formula is heavily weighted on population. We need a formula that works for rural Minnesota.

Paramount to the successful leveraging of OAA funds is the requirement that these funds be the payer of last resort. States and regions must exhaust all other funding options first. The OAA services are often the only services available in our greater Minnesota communities. Rural Minnesota lacks robust philanthropic funding or a booming network of non-profits to step in and fill gaps when needed. This is why it is imperative that OAA funding is allocated equitably between rural Minnesotans and urban Minnesota. Equitable funding would assure the same opportunities for all Minnesotans.

According to the State Demographers Office and information from the 2020 Census, Minnesota’s rural aging population is growing, and older adults comprise 20% of the population in rural Minnesota counties. While this number is higher than in urban areas, rural areas are also experiencing a greater decline in the working-age population. We are also facing a critical stage of providing care for older adults in our area. Older adults in rural Minnesota are facing obstacles. These include closed hospitals or unreachable healthcare services, fewer transportation options, limited broadband access, a dispersed population, larger distances to food and healthcare access, and greater food insecurity for older adults. Since 2011, forty-two nursing homes have closed in Minnesota, and 73% occurred in greater Minnesota.

The proposed IFF would decrease several services in our region, including home-delivered meals, grocery delivery, trips to medical appointments, adult day programs, counseling and respite for caregivers, snow removal, lawn care, and legal assistance. Without your voice, greater Minnesota stands to lose critical support for community-based services.

Elderly father and son walking.

You can help by submitting a public comment that supports funding for aging services in Greater Minnesota. The public comment period is open through May 3, 2023, and can be found here: https://mn.gov/board-on-aging/. For more information on the IFF and rural needs, visit www.GreaterMinnesotaAging.org.

 

Jason W. Swanson

Executive Director

MNRAAA

507-387-1256

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