World Alzheimer\'s Day and the Elderly Elevator

Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms, Stages, Medications, and More

World Alzheimer's Day and the Elderly Elevator

There are as many as 50 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia , but these people are not just statistics. They are our loved ones—our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, sisters, and brothers.

On World Alzheimer's Day this year, take the time to raise awareness about Alzheimer's by learning more about the disease, how it affects your loved ones, and what you can do to support people living with Alzheimer's.

What is World Alzheimer's Day?
World Alzheimer's Day is an annual global initiative that aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Serving as a platform to educate the public about the challenges faced by individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, the day's primary goal is to challenge the stigma surrounding dementia and promote understanding and empathy for those affected by this progressive neurodegenerative condition.

On this day, various events, campaigns and activities are held around the world to shed light on the impact of Alzheimer’s, highlight the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate care, and advocate for increased funding and research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure. .

World Alzheimer’s Day plays a vital role in fostering a supportive global community dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families, while also working towards a future where dementia is no longer such a significant public health threat.

When is World Alzheimer’s Day?
World Alzheimer’s Day is held every year on September 21.

This year, in 2023, World Alzheimer’s Day falls on a Thursday.

What is the theme of World Alzheimer’s Day 2023?
The theme of World Alzheimer’s Day 2023 is “Never too early, never too late.”

For World Alzheimer’s Day 2023, “Never Too Early, Never Too Late” highlights two important aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:

Early Intervention and Prevention:
The “Never Too Early” part of the theme emphasizes the importance of early intervention and diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often develop gradually and progress over time. Identifying signs and symptoms early can help individuals receive appropriate care, treatment and support, potentially slowing the progression of the disease and improving the quality of life for both people with dementia and their caregivers.

Click here to learn more about Alzheimer’s risk factors and risk reduction.

Elderly people who have difficulty using stairs, as well as people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, can benefit from using disabled elevators.

Lifelong Support and Awareness:
The “Never Too Late” feature emphasizes that it is never too late to raise awareness, provide support and take action in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The theme: It encourages individuals, families, healthcare professionals and communities to stay active and engaged in this cause, regardless of their age or stage of life. It highlights the idea that everyone has a role to play in promoting understanding, advocating for research and funding, and supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The theme for World Alzheimer’s Day 2023 highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, and that it is never too late to make a positive impact on the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It aims to encourage a holistic approach to addressing the challenges that dementia presents throughout a person’s life.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is a progressive disease that affects more than 520,000 people in the UK. Everyone’s brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that are connected together. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, the connections between these cells are lost as proteins in the brain form abnormal structures called “plaques” and “rings”. This eventually leads to the death of nerve cells and the loss of brain tissue.

Beyond that, there are chemicals in the brain that help send messages between different brain cells. However, in people with Alzheimer’s, there are fewer of these chemical messengers, and signals are not transmitted as effectively. The combination of brain tissue loss and a lack of chemical messengers in the brain causes Alzheimer’s symptoms. Since it is a progressive disease, symptoms get worse over time as more brain tissue is lost.

What are the Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
In the early stages of the disease, memory loss is the main symptom. Here are some signs to look for at this stage:

Forget recent conversations or events
Misplace items
Forget the names of places and objects 

I have trouble thinking of the right word
Asking questions over and over
Showing poor judgment or having trouble making decisions
Being less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
There are also often signs of increased anxiety or mood swings, such as periods of agitation or confusion.

Middle Stage Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
As the disease progresses, memory problems will worsen, possibly causing the person with Alzheimer's to have more and more difficulty remembering the names of people they know. They may also have trouble recognizing family and friends. Some signs to look for at this stage include:

Increasing confusion and disorientation – for example, getting lost or wandering and not knowing what time of day it is
Obsessional, repetitive or impulsive behavior
Delusions (believing things that are not true) or feeling paranoid and suspicious about caregivers or family members
Problems with speech or language (aphasia)
Disturbed sleep
Mood changes, such as frequent mood swings, depression and feeling increasingly anxious, frustrated or agitated
Difficulty performing spatial tasks, such as judging distances
Seeing or hearing things that others do not see (hallucinations)
At this stage, someone with Alzheimer’s disease usually needs support to help them with daily living. For example, they may need help with eating, washing themselves, dressing themselves and using the toilet.

Late Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, symptoms become increasingly severe and can be distressing for the person, as well as for their friends, family and caregivers.

Hallucinations and delusions can occur throughout the course of the disease, but they can worsen as the condition progresses. Sometimes this can cause people with Alzheimer’s to become violent, demanding, and suspicious of those around them. Some signs to look for at this stage include:

Difficulty eating and swallowing (dysphagia)
Difficulty changing positions or moving without assistance
Weight loss – sometimes severe
Involuntary passage of urine (incontinence) or stool (bowel incontinence)
Gradual loss of speech
Significant problems with short- and long-term memory
At this point in the disease, people with Alzheimer’s may need full-time care and assistance with everything from personal care to mobility.
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World Alzheimer’s Day and the Elderly Lift

“It’s never too early, never too late”