June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It’s a time to show support for individuals and families who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as of 2023, about 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to increase as more Americans continue to get older in the coming years.
The National Institute on Aging states Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. Dementia is considered the loss of cognitive functioning that interferes with a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. At this time there is no cure, but there are studies being done, as well as medicines to help slow its progression and improve symptoms.
The 7 A’s of Dementia
If you are a caretaker or know someone with dementia, it can be hard to comprehend those symptoms and how they view the world. Learning the 7 A’s of dementia can provide a better understanding.
According to The Visiting Homemakers Association (VHA Home Healthcare), the 7 A’s include anosognosia, amnesia, aphasia, agnosia, apraxia, altered perception and apathy.
1. Anosognosia
Anosognosia is brain damage that can make it hard for dementia patients to recognize their impairment. VHA states it can be easily mistaken for denial, stubbornness or embarrassment. It can also make their behavior unpredictable.
According to the VHA, some Care Strategies include:
2. Amnesia
Amnesia is memory loss that initially impacts short term memories, but eventually impacts long term memories as the disease progresses. The VHA says it’s usually the most noticeable sign of dementia and can cause a patient to feel overwhelmed.
Some VHA Care Strategies include:
Aphasia is impaired communication skills. It affects the ability to speak, understand language and read and write. This can make it hard to understand a patient with dementia.
Some VHA Care Strategies include:
Agnosia is the lack of ability to recognize objects or people. The VHA says examples of this could be a patient burning themselves with hot water, or eating something that is not food.
VHA Care Strategies include:
Apraxia is considered the loss of motor skills needed for movement. According to the VHA, these cognitive changes can cause dementia patients to say ‘no’ when they’re encouraged to do something. It’s not because they don’t want to, but because they forget how.
Some VHA Care Strategies include:
This can make someone living with dementia misinterpret their environment. This includes how high, long or near objects are. It can also cause paranoia and delusions.
VHA Care Strategies include:
VHA Care Strategies include:
Not everyone with dementia experiences the 7A’s. Click here for more information on symptoms and the forms of dementia.