junk drawer isn't a sign of Alzheimer's. Many older people are afraid that having more of these kinds of lapses means they have Alzheimer's, but it's normal to be a hit more forgetful as you get older. There are inmint differences between simple forgetfulness and dementia(see the chart Maw).

Normal aging or dementia?

Trouble with abstract thinking. The person may have trouble doing simple math, paying bills, or balancing a check book.

Disorientation. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may get lost in his or her own neighborhood. He or she may also lose track of dates and the time.

Unusual behavior. The person may wander, become agitated, or hide things. Or, they might wear too few or too many clothes, become overly suspicious, engage in unsafe behaviors, or use foul language to an unusual degree.

Passive behavior. Instead of doing once-loved things, like gardening or golfing, the person sits in front of the television by hours or they sleep for much longer periods.

Severity

There are different ways to gauge the severity of Alzheimer's disease. Patients and caregivers are interviewed to assess the patient's memory, awareness of the world around them, judgment, ability to solve problems, relationship to their community, how they function at home, and their personal care. Their condition is judged to be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the results of the interview.

Here arc some examples of symptoms of each of the stages of Alzheimer's:

Mild Alzheimer's

• Decreased knowledge of recent events
• Decreased ability to perform tasks such as planning dinner, paying bills
• Subdued mood. especially in social situations

Moderate Alzheimer's

• Unable to recall current address or telephone number
• Trouble choosing clothes appropriate for the season or occasion

Severe Alzheimer's

• Cannot remember most recent events
• Need help getting dressed, keeping themselves clean

If you think that you or a loved one may have Alzheimer's disease, talk to a doctor:

Be sure to bring a list of all the drugs the person is taking to the appointment. Also make a list of any changes in mental ability, mood, personality, and behavior, and bring this too. It can help the doctor in the evaluation.

The doctor will perform a complete physical exam and mental status testing. For example. the doctor may ask the patient to perform simple mental exercises, such as counting backward by sevens, obeying written instructions, memorizing words, copying designs, and performing simple calculations.

A brain scan, such as a cl' or MRI. may also be ordered. These scans can rule our other health problems that affect thinking and memory, such as a tumor, hemorrhage. or stroke. They can also show changes in the brain that go hand-in-hand with Alzheimer's. Other types of brain scans, called PET (positron emission tomography) or SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scans, can help your doctor make a diagnosis.

It´s important to know what treatment can do and be realistic about what to expect.

Treatment is working if Alzheimer's disease symptoms:

Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease

Drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, plant amine. tacrine, and memantine can help symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including thinking and memory problems.

Donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and racorinc belong to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. They increase the brain chemical acetylcholine, which alfeers memory and learning.

Memantine works differently. It is an NN/DA (N-merbILLaspartate) antagonist, and it works by blocking the ic: I glutamate in the brain. Glutamate plays a role in destroying neurons. Memantine is used for people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Combining memantine and another Alzheimer's medication (called "combination therapy") may be particularly effective. A Müs study from doctors at Harvard Medical School found that people with Alzheimer's who took memantine plus a cholinesterase inhibitor were more likely to have a slower decline in their mental abilities and their ability to function compared with people who took a cholinesterase inhibitor alone. An earlier large study found that combination therapy (memanrine plus donepezil) improved a person's ability to think and to perform basic tasks like bathing and dressing. It also improved behavior problems.

There are two types:1) a living Will, and 2) a durable power of attorney for health care. Because living wills are narrower, many people opt for a durable power of attorney. In this case, a person designates someone to make medical decisions for him or her. Give a copy to the patient's doctor and keep extra copies on hand in case the need for emergency treatment or hospitalization comes up. The patient should also have a will.

Take care of yourself. Ear well, get enough rest and exercise, and pursue activities that bring you pleasure. If it's too hard to find the rime, consider getting extra help with some household chores.