Do you Alzheimer's disease conceptknow someone who has had Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? AD is more common than most people know. The most common form of the disease is late onset Alzheimer’s which means the person with the disease does not begin to show signs until that person is after retirement age.  In the Literature Review, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for preventing Alzheimer’s disease, Drs. Reid, Avens, and Walf explain some of the key behavioral signs that can be signs of the start of AD and they mention a few techniques that can be used to help prevent the progression of AD.

Data shows that about 30-50% of those living into their mid-80s will begin to show signs of loss of cognitive ability, increasing signs of advanced AD, or have already suffered the effects of advanced AD. This disease is a slow progressing disease and can take around a decade before the person reaches the advanced stages of AD. Advancing AD is explained as a progressive cognitive decline which can be measurable by psychological tests.


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As you age it is common for cognitive processes to begin to decline and that is not necessarily bad until the decline continues to advance to become AD. If people can notice the decline then, they can take action to do what they can to slow the progression. Some risk factors to avoid include inactivity and poor diets. It is important to do what you can to take care of your body especially as you age. Regular exercise can reduce the overall risk of AD. Also when concerning one’s diet it is important to pay attention to cholesterol levels and blood pressure because high cholesterol and high systolic blood pressure are also risks for AD.

Dr. Reid and colleagues also looked at the relationship between sleeping disorders and AD. They go on to explain that sleep disruption is a major sign for the progression of AD. The sleep disruptions can include many factors, but the main one is that people frequently sleep more during the day and are frequently waking up at night. Confusion and frustration are both very common for people with clear signs of AD to experience later in the day. This fact that irregular sleep patterns can be a risk for progressing AD in people who have it along with other risk factors has increased the strong feelings some have toward creating adult community centers or places like that. These community centers would influence individuals to exercise consistently, maintain a healthy diet, and inform people how they can better their sleep hygiene. While a place like that would be great it still would not stop AD. There is not a cure for AD, only ways to try to slow the progression. So, while there is no way to stop AD you can stay informed and keep your loved ones informed on some of the signs of AD and of the activities you can make sure to do as you age to slow the progression if AD is developed.

Sophie Sielen By Sophia Sielen

Sophia is a sophomore majoring in Art and Psychology, and minoring in Human Development. After graduating from the University of  Wisconsin-Green Bay, she plans on continuing to Graduate school and working as a counselor for children.

 


Reid, L. R., Avens, F. E., & Walf, A. A. (2017). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Behavioural Brain Research, 334, 163-177. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.024