Eventually, most people with Alzheimer's disease become unable to care for themselves. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive or intellectual function. Many conditions can cause dementia. Dementia related to depression, drug interactions, and thyroid and other problems may be reversible if detected early. That's one of the reasons it's important to obtain a professional assessment, so that the actual cause can be identified and proper care provided.
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 in communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning that can have an impact on a person's work and social and family life. One in 10 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer's disease. Today, four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. Unless a cure or prevention is found, that number will jump to 14 million by the year 2050.