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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May is Older Americans Month

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This May, MNRAAA will be highlighting Older Americans Month and recognizing the contributions of older adults throughout the nation. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness regarding abuse and/or neglect within the older adult population. We, as an organization, ramp up our marketing efforts in May to raise awareness about the programs and services we offer to older adults, caregivers, and providers.

 

MNRAAA will partner with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to share information on the importance of older adults in our community. This year’s theme is Aging Unbound. The theme for 2023 challenges all of us to think differently about aging. A couple of ways to get involved with this year’s theme include:

  • Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
  • Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Expand that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
  • Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
  • Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

For more information about older adult services in your area, contact us at mnraaa.org or the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. We also encourage you to get involved with your aging community. Let us know how we can help you and your community. Our goal here at MNRAAA is to assist older adults to thrive. Together, we can accomplish this. Happy Older Americans Month!

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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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Visit by President Biden Highlights Programs Helping Older Adults in Minnesota

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MNRAAA Executive Director Jason W. Swanson was invited to attend President Biden’s “Investing in America” tour at the Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley on April 3, 2023. While the focus today was on “The Build Back Better Framework,” the invitation came after Swanson attended meetings held at the White House in March. Those meetings were held for the White House to hear community viewpoints from elected officials and other community leaders from each state on their agenda to strengthen communities. The Investing in America tour aligns with that purpose.

Dawn Simonson, the Executive Director of Trellis, joined Swanson at the White House in March and at the “Investing in America” event on April 3.

“While it’s an honor to be invited to both meetings, what is so tremendously interesting and positive is that this is due to our leadership on aging in Minnesota and our strong relationship with the federal Administration for Community Living,” said Simonson. “Their staff provided our names and organizations to the White House Office on Public Engagement to be included in conversations and events.”

Governor Tim Walz, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and many other stakeholders from Minnesota are ensuring the voices of older adults and caregivers living in Minnesota are heard by the Biden-Harris administration.

“The Area Agencies on Aging in Minnesota have been working with the Biden-Harris administration to promote our mission so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice,” said Swanson. “Efforts like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will allow older adults and their caregivers better access to high-speed internet and public transportation.”

Other portions of the Investing in America tour include the American Rescue Plan (ARP), President Biden’s plan to provide direct relief to Americans, contain COVID-19, and rescue the economy. State, local, and Tribal governments have put ARP funds to work to protect public health. In the first nine months, reporting from the largest recipients shows that most states, cities and counties are using funds to respond to the public health impacts of the pandemic.

A project to promote getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster during flu season was launched by MNRAAA, which partnered with Pioneer PBS to create the campaign. The work was funded through a grant from the federal Older Americans Act through a grant with the Northwest Regional Development Commission under an area plan approved by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Viewers can watch these videos by visiting https://bit.ly/3BMpnNF.

 

Read more about the positive impact of the Biden-Harris agenda in Minnesota here.

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