There is a great deal of misunderstanding about Alzheimer's disease.
Many people are frightened and confused even by the word.
Alzheimer's is a disease that causes the deterioration of the brain and eventually causes permanent confusion and memory loss. It usually occurs after age 65, but can begin in the 40's or 50's. Approximately 4 million people in the U.S. have this disease. Women are slightly more likely than men to get Alzheimer's. Sometimes patients with other problems, such as depression, which is treatable, are misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's, which is untreatable.