If it can't be stopped, over 14 million people are expected to be living with the disease in 2050. Currently, it's impossible to say who will develop Alzheimer's and who will be spared. Some people inherit genes that make them vulnerable to the disease, particularly in cases of early-onset Alzheimer's. But in most cases, a single family member is diagnosed with the disease late in life. Coping with Alzheimer's The first step to coping with Alzheimer's disease is knowing what to expect.
Every case is different, but the disease tends to follow a predictable downward spiral.
In the first stage, which may last two to four years, Alzheimer's is subtle and easily overlooked. In the beginning, people may have trouble coming up with the names of acquaintances or of common objects such as bread or sugar. They may put keys or an iron in odd places, like the refrigerator, and be unable to remember how they got there. Friends and relatives may notice small changes in mood, perhaps a loss of interest in favorite activities or unusually high levels of anxiety. Later, the disease will start interfering with everyday life.