Discovering Alzheimer's Disease
Learn about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, as well as tips for coping with the diagnosis.
The Diagnosis
Caregivers recall the pivotal moments after learning their loved one's diagnosis.Transcript:
Kate, Caregiver for Husband, 1 Year, Texas:
I remember I was driving to work when they gave me the diagnosis, and I just couldn't believe it because he was 58 years old when he was diagnosed and no history in his family whatsoever.
Vivian, Caregiver for Father, 4 Years, Pennsylvania:
… I'm watching my father; my father's not him anymore. He's not the same person that he was five years ago. He's not the same outgoing man who wanted to take trips.
One in eight people age 65 and older (13 percent) has Alzheimer’s disease.
Judith, Caregiver for Mother, 4 Years, Texas:
Well, she had an episode in the doctor's office. It was a geriatrics doctor. They started giving her those tests to say, "Okay, count backwards, do the [PH] face." And they started really honing in on that.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
Laura, Caregiver for Mother, 8 Years, California:
She was asked to retire two years early from her teaching position which, really shattered her, but she dealt with it and shortly thereafter she was told she couldn’t drive any longer and everything sort of just went downhill from there, but it’s been a long road. It’s been a very slow progression for her.
Alzheimer's symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
Rudy, Caregiver for Mother, 4 Years, Pennsylvania:
But it came so slow that it never dawned on me that might have been the case. And then, I guess, after a long period of time it seemed that I had kind of lost my mother. And she was completely different. She didn't know who I was. And she was gone and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
Where your caregiver journey begins.
BACK TO CAREGIVER VIDEO RESOURCE CENTER
CAREGIVER TIP SHEET
CAREGIVER SURVEY RESULTS