When an older loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s not uncommon for family members to rise to the occasion and help provide support as informal caregivers. Family care is an important–and often unrecognized–component of high quality care in our communities.
There are also a lot of concerns that arise when a loved one is struggling with this type of dementia. One of the questions that you might ask yourself is, “Is Alzheimer’s hereditary? Is there something genetic that I have inherited that predisposes me to this disease?”
This is a natural question to ask. It’s quite normal to wonder if the things that we see our older relatives struggle with will become our struggles, too. For many things, there is a genetic link, but there’s not a lot of information out there regarding Alzheimer’s.
That’s why the National Institutes of Health are tackling this question.
It turns out, there is a genetic component to Alzheimer’s. The genes known as APOE-2, APOE-3, and APOE-4 are associated with the development of the disease. For example, between 40 and 65 percent of people diagnosed with the disease also have the APOE-4 gene present. However, only about 1 percent of people who inherit the genes that are associated with Alzheimer’s actually are diagnosed with the disease.
So while there is a genetic association, the reality is that it is a very small one.
This is good news. It implies that there are things that we can do on our end to help prevent the development of the disease. Researchers also know that the right diet and proper exercise can help to reduce the odds of getting Alzheimer’s. A healthy lifestyle for your body can also go a long way toward helping your brain.
Some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, difficulty completing once-familiar tasks, confusion with time and place, challenges in problem-solving and decision-making, changes in mood and personality, withdrawal from the typical social activities, and difficulties in speaking and understanding language. As the disease advances, individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s can experience severe memory impairment, disorientation, and a loss of ability to communicate and care for themselves independently. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing the symptoms and providing appropriate support.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease at any stage, getting support sooner rather than later is the key to success for your whole family. While it’s true that there’s no cure for the disease, there are things that can be done to help make life easier for the person impacted. There are also things that can be done to help make life easier for family members. When someone has Alzheimer’s, everyone around them that loves them is also impacted. Getting the right help can make life easier.
We’re here to help. If you’re looking for someone to join your family’s team and help ensure that your loved one has access to the right care to meet their needs, we’d love to be of service. Get in touch with us to get the ball rolling.
Leave a Reply