Alzheimer's -Beyond Memory Loss

Behavioral Issues Tip the Scale

Aug 8, 2009 Patricia Caporale

If asked about Alzheimer's Disease, most people will simply state it's about memory loss. However, behavior changes tip the scale on progressive symptoms of the disease.

In people with Alzheimer's disease, changes in the brain may begin 10 to 20 years before any visible signs or symptoms appear. Some regions of the brain may begin to shrink, resulting in memory loss, the first visible sign of Alzheimer's disease. Over time, Alzheimer's disease progresses through three main stages: mild, moderate, and severe. These stages are characterized by a collection of signs and symptoms and particularly behaviors the people with Alzheimer's disease experience.

In mild stage Alzheimer’s depression is listed at the bottom of the symptom list.

In Moderate stage symptoms start tipping the weight of the disease toward more behavior issues.

Agitation
Behavioral symptoms become more common
Restless, ,Repetitive movements
Wandering
Paranoia, lncrease in Delusions, hallucinations
Deficits in intellect and reasoning.

Behaviors Beat Memory Loss

The problem is, since memory is the most and first noticeable symptom - the behavior changes take a back seat. That is until the caregiver suddenly finds their loved one hard to manage, belligerent, angry, depressed or paranoid. They often become completely polar opposite of their normal behavior. At that point the scales almost completely tip toward behavioral changes at the top of the list.

May groan, scream, mumble, or speak gibberish
Behavior symptoms become more common
Refuses to follow instruction
Inappropriately cries out
Failure to recognize family or faces

This is the point where the weight of the disease shifts from memory loss at the top to the bottom with behaviors tipping the scale.

Medications Vary for Treatments

Increasing research shows that Alzheimer's patients are being equally treated with medications for depression, attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity disorders and even anti-seizure medicine in order to address the behavior challenges facing their caregivers.

Many diagnosed individuals and their families find these symptoms the most challenging and distressing affects of the disease. There are two approaches to managing behavioral symptoms: using medications specifically to control the symptoms or non-drug strategies. Non-drug approaches should always be tried first.

Examples of medications commonly used to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, include the following: Antidepressant medications for low mood and irritability: Anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior and resistance: Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility and uncooperativeness.

Support is Essential

It is not unusual for Nursing homes and other facilities to refuse or eject patients in advanced stages of Alzheimer's that show aggressive and/or threatening behavior. That often places them right back home where the caregiver has already been taxed beyond their patience and energy levels. It then becomes more important than ever for them to utilize support groups and online discussion panels. They should become part of the everyday contact for Alzheimer's patient caregivers.

Understanding the challenges of the caregiver, as well as the increasing changes in behaviors is the first step in dealing with your loved one and their disease. In the long run, memory loss can be the least of the issues.

It is important to know what to expect - when to expect it and be prepared for a time when you must accept the things you cannot change. It's simply not about the memory any more. It may be time to investigate assisted living and let someone else step in.

The copyright of the article Alzheimer's -Beyond Memory Loss in Seniors' Health/Medicare is owned by Patricia Caporale. Permission to republish Alzheimer's -Beyond Memory Loss in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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