How rapidly it advances varies from person to person, but the brain disease eventually causes confusion, personality and behavior changes and impaired judgment. Communication becomes difficult as the affected person struggles to find words, finish thoughts or follow directions. Eventually, most people with Alzheimer s disease become unable to care for themselves.
Many healthy individuals are less able to remember certain kinds of information as they get older.
But the symptoms of Alzheimer s disease involve more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer s experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning that can have an impact on a person s work, social and family life. Alzheimer s is a disease that destroys brain cells which is not a normal part of aging. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive or intellectual function. Many conditions can cause dementia.