Alzheimer’s Disease is the commonest cause of dementia in the elderly. It is also seen very occasionally in younger people. It does not affect all elderly people as many elderly people retain all their mental senses almost to the very end of life.

It is said to affect approximately 20% of people over 80. It is extremely uncommon in young people with the exception of those suffering from Down’s Syndrome.

The onset of the disease is very gradual, almost to be unnoticeable. Undue anxiety and depression and funny little facets of behaviour may smoulder on for ten years or more. Gradually speech disorders can appear and the patient becomes disorientated. In advance cases the patient walks in a shuffling manner and in the terminal stage there can be a loss of speech, movement and all ability to think or be aware of their surroundings and the presence of their loved ones.

Both the patient and the family concerned need advice and support during the early to middle stages of he disease. Institutional care is always needed in the advanced stage of the disease.

Before the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is made, it is necessary to eliminate other conditions with similar conditions for which there may be a cure. These include tumours of the brain which can be detected by the latest screening procedures such as CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging procedures.

Other conditions include under activity of the thyroid which responds to treatment, vitamin B12 deficiency and liver disease, both of which can be treated.

Before the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is made true depression which responds to anti-depressive medication should not be missed.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease contact the support group in your state. ADARDS (Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Society) at P.O. Box 139, Ryde 2112, telephone (02) 805 0100.