disorder of infectious or genetic origin that typically causes memory failure and behavioral changes. A recently identified form called “variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)” is the human disorder thought to be caused by eating meat from cattle affected by “mad cow disease” (bovine spongiform encephalopathy). Variant CJD tends to appear in much younger individuals than those affected by sporadic or inherited Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and no way to stop the underlying death of brain cells. But drugs and nondrug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Two types of drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
One important part of treatment is supportive care that helps individuals and their families come to terms with the diagnosis, obtain information and advice about treatment options, and maximize quality of life through the course of the illness.
As the pace of research accelerates, scientists funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, the pharmaceutical industry,universities, and our federal government have gained detailed understanding of the basic disease process at work in the Alzheimer brain. Experts believe that several of these processes may offer promising targets for a new generation of treatments to prevent, slow, or even reverse damage to nerve cells.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
For more than thirty years, the Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information, created supportive programs and services for families, increased resources for dementia research, and influenced changes in public policy. They are the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. Their goal is to create a powerful constituency of passionate Americans that places the prevention and cure of Alzheimer’s disease at the top of its agenda. To learn more, please contact them at:
Contact Center: 800-272-3900
Website: www.alz.org
e-mail: [email protected]
What Additional Resources Are Available?
The Alzheimer’s Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to the millions of people affected by the disease, their families and caregivers, and health care professionals.
• Their 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, provides information, referrals and care consultations in more than 170 languages and dialects.
• Their website, alz.org , provides comprehensive information about Alzheimer’s disease and how the association can help those affected.
• Their online Safety Center, alz.org/ safety, features information, tips, and resources to assist you with safety inside and outside of the home, wandering and getting lost, and driving and dementia.
• Their support groups, conducted at hundreds of locations nationwide, provide people with Alzheimer’s and their families a confidential open forum to share concerns and receive support.
• ALZConnected ( alzconnected.org ), powered by the Alzheimer’s Association, is a social networking community that connects people living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, and others affected by the disease.
• Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Navigator ( alzheimersnavigator.org ) is an online assessment program that creates customized action plans while connecting the individual to local community programs, services, and resources.
• Education workshops led by trained professionals on topics such as caregiving, brain health, Alzheimer’s basics, and living with dementia, as well as a number of free e-learning courses available at elearning.alz.org .
• The Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library is the nation’s largest resource center devoted to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Material on the Alzheimer’s Association courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter and is used with permission. Copyright ©
Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and no way to stop the underlying death of brain cells. But drugs and nondrug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Two types of drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
One important part of treatment is supportive care that helps individuals and their families come to terms with the diagnosis, obtain information and advice about treatment options, and maximize quality of life through the course of the illness.
As the pace of research accelerates, scientists funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, the pharmaceutical industry,universities, and our federal government have gained detailed understanding of the basic disease process at work in the Alzheimer brain. Experts believe that several of these processes may offer promising targets for a new generation of treatments to prevent, slow, or even reverse damage to nerve cells.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
For more than thirty years, the Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information, created supportive programs and services for families, increased resources for dementia research, and influenced changes in public policy. They are the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. Their goal is to create a powerful constituency of passionate Americans that places the prevention and cure of Alzheimer’s disease at the top of its agenda. To learn more, please contact them at:
Contact Center: 800-272-3900
Website: www.alz.org
e-mail: [email protected]
What Additional Resources Are Available?
The Alzheimer’s Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to the millions of people affected by the disease, their families and caregivers, and health care professionals.
• Their 24/7 Helpline, 800-272-3900, provides information, referrals and care consultations in more than 170 languages and dialects.
• Their website, alz.org , provides comprehensive information about Alzheimer’s disease and how the association can help those affected.
• Their online Safety Center, alz.org/ safety, features information, tips, and resources to assist you with safety inside and outside of the home, wandering and getting lost, and driving and dementia.
• Their support groups, conducted at hundreds of locations nationwide, provide people with Alzheimer’s and their families a confidential open forum to share concerns and receive support.
• ALZConnected ( alzconnected.org ), powered by the Alzheimer’s Association, is a social networking community that connects people living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, and others affected by the disease.
• Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Navigator ( alzheimersnavigator.org ) is an online assessment program that creates customized action plans while connecting the individual to local community programs, services, and resources.
• Education workshops led by trained professionals on topics such as caregiving, brain health, Alzheimer’s basics, and living with dementia, as well as a number of free e-learning courses available at elearning.alz.org .
• The Alzheimer’s Association Green-Field Library is the nation’s largest resource center devoted to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Material on the Alzheimer’s Association courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter and is used with permission. Copyright ©
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