I am Living with Dementia
I am a person living with dementia. Whether I have been given a formal diagnosis or I'm concerned about my cognitive health, I could be living with dementia.
Summary of what Living with Dementia is:
You've likely been worried and anxious about the changes you're seeing in yourself. Now that you've been diagnosed, know that there are education and resources to support you. If you've just been diagnosed with dementia, you may need some time before sharing the news – or you may want to talk about it right away. Dementia impacts your cognitive, emotional, physical and social abilities. Understand how these changes can affect you and know how you can prepare and adjust accordingly to live well with dementia.
Education
Live Events and Meetings
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Late Stage: Preparing for Changes Ahead Session 3
Late Stage: Working with Care Providers Session 2
What Matters Most!
Depression and Care Partner Burnout
Solving Alzheimer's disease: A search for the Holy Grail!
Early Stage: Planning Ahead Session 4
Roger Marple Live Meeting
Early Stage: Understanding Dementia Session 3
Early Stage: You as a Care Partner Session 2
Be Ready for an Emergency Department Visit
Early Stage: Exploring the Experience of Dementia Session 1
Anne Baltimore Story
Resources
What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer's disease progresses through different stages, which bring about changes in the person's and family's lives.
The early stage refers to people of any age who have mild impairment due to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
The middle stage brings a more significant decline in the person’s cognitive abilities. This stage often seems the longest, and everyone involved will need help and support.
The late stage occurs when the person living with Alzheimer's disease eventually becomes unable to communicate verbally or look after themselves. Nonverbal communication becomes more critical.
You can read more about these stages in the series The Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease or type a question in the search bar above.
How fast does Alzheimer’s disease progress?
Alzheimer's disease affects each individual differently. The symptoms, the order in which they appear, and the duration of each stage vary greatly from person to person.
In most cases, the disease progresses slowly, and the symptoms of each stage may overlap, often making the move from one stage to another quite subtle. The duration of the disease is usually seven to ten years but may be much longer in some people.
I keep forgetting things, do I have Alzheimer's disease?
Most people forget things on a daily basis, such as people's names or where they put their car keys. However, this doesn't necessarily indicate Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia. In dementia, memory loss is more severe than forgetting things occasionally. It starts to interfere with everyday life. For instance, it might be time to see your doctor if you find your car keys but can't recall what they are used for.
There are many reasons why people become forgetful. Some medicines and drugs can affect memory. Getting a proper diagnosis is important, as memory issues can be caused by stress, depression, anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems. If you are worried about your memory, if it’s getting worse, or if it's interfering with your everyday life, talk to your doctor.
