Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to a loss of memory, thinking and other brain functions. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s is fatal.
Recently, there has been research showing that some cases of Alzheimer’s are actually misdiagnosed. Although medicine has long recognized Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA’s are mini-strokes, with stroke symptoms that last less than 24 hours before disappearing), it now appears there exists micro-TIAs neither patient nor doctor realize have happened. If these micro TIA’s occur hundreds, even thousands of times, the outcome mimics Alzheimer’s. (Learn more about TIA risks and symptoms here.)
For detailed information on one particularly interesting study, here is a link to a 60 Minutes program discussing the issue in detail. You have to sit through the advertisements, but the information is worth it. You will be shocked when you hear the health condition that appears to keep older people safe from Alzheimer’s. (That first link is to part 2, which is more relevant to this article. But part 1 is interesting too.)
In the next blog, we will talk about our unique approach to housing residents who may have to face this frightening disease.