Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia

Most people approaching retirement look forward to exploring new pursuits and basking in memories of their long and eventful lives. But for thousands of Canadians, Alzheimer's disease replaces the richness of the golden years with a sense of loss and confusion as memories of the past and present gradually fade.

Although memory loss is common among the elderly, Alzheimer's disease is not part of normal aging, according to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. It is a progressive neurological disease that affects the brain and many of its functions including language, intellect and spatial orientation.

"In fact, most older people make it through to a ripe old age with no sign of Alzheimer's," says Kern Windwraith of the Alzheimer Society of BC.

The illness develops so gradually that it is hard to notice at first. The symptoms resemble ordinary memory lapses. As the lapses become more frequent, people with Alzheimer's lose the ability to learn and remember anything new. At first they forget things from week to week, then from day to day, and gradually, from hour to hour and even minute to minute.

Eventually people with Alzheimer's disease can no longer remember the names of family and friends or find their way around in places that are not completely familiar. They may avoid social contacts because they can't follow the drift of a conversation. At this stage, many people can still live well using simple routines in a familiar environment. But they may experience a sense of powerlessness and frustration that can lead to emotional turmoil.

For example, when they are upset by an otherwise trivial event, a person with Alzheimer's may break into tears, strike out in anger or try to run away. They sometimes become suspicious and develop delusions, talking to imaginary persons or accusing family members of being impostors.

"There is a feeling of horror when you are losing your independence and realize you need to depend on others for your most basic needs," Windwraith says. The emotional turmoil affects people at different stages, she adds. "For a spouse, Alzheimer's means losing your life partner right before your eyes."

In later stages of the disease, people with read more