by Sharon Fish Mooney and Shelda L. K. Hudson,
there are many myths and misconceptions associated with Alzheimer's disease. Some of the most common are myths about the process of aging coupled with an inadequate understanding of what is considered normal.
Alzheimer's disease, or any other type of dementia, is NOT an inevitable result of aging. Most people do NOT become confused when they chronologically age. Confusion is ALWAYS due to some organic disease process or chemical imbalance in the system and should NEVER be associated with normality at any age. Alzheimer's disease is NOT the norm, but a deviation from the norm.
Statistically, only about 5 percent of persons over the age of 65 suffer severe intellectual impairment; only 10 percent can be considered moderately impaired. There is, however, a condition associated with age known as "benign senescent forgetfulness" (BSF).
Symptoms of BSF include some mild memory impairment that is non progressive in nature, but there is no accompanying functional decline; this is not the same thing as Alzheimer's disease nor does it necessarily progress to a full-blown dementia over time.
Alzheimer's disease is NOT the same thing as hardening of the arteries. It is related to specific pathologic changes in the brain itself rather than a generalized build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Historically, most cases of what was considered senile dementia were automatically treated with vasodilators based on the erroneous belief that if you could dilate cerebral blood vessels you could improve cognitive processes.
But Alzheimer's disease is NOT a vascular disease. Medications designed to improve blood flow to the brain have proven ineffective as primary treatments.
Alzheimer's is NOT just a disease of the elderly. Though it usually does occur after a person reaches the mid-60's, with a significant increase after age 80, Alzheimer's disease can afflict people in their 40's and 50's. One of the youngest persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was a 28 year old woman who also had Down syndrome.
Alzheimer's is NOT curable or preventable. Keeping your mind as active as possible throughout life is, unfortunately, no guarantee you won't develop Alzheimer's disease. Dementia is no respecter of persons. It claims both men and women in all educational, racial and socioeconomic groups.
National Center of Continuing Education, inc.
Sharon Fish Mooney, PhD. RN.
Shelda L.K. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN
Beautiful painting-Georgia O'Keeffe
