Primary Progressive Aphasia is a neurodegenerative disease marked by continuously worsening speech problems. Those that suffer from this disease also tend to be a lot more prone to have Alzheimer’s disease. Current statistics indicate that about 40 percent of those with this type of aphasia also have this prominent form of dementia. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, and it’s a degenerative disease. Those that have the disease see memory issues, speech problems, and physical condition deteriorate until they pass away. There are some things that can be done to slow this spread of the disease, but it can’t be delayed for forever.
But for those that have Primary Progressive Aphasia, there is a glimmer of hope. New research indicates that those who suffer from both of these conditions can often avoid some of the memory problems that are associated with Alzheimer’s. Doctors have long known that those with Primary Progressive Aphasia do not develop the memory issues in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but because the majority of memory tests out there rely heavily on verbal skills.
But even though those with PPA may lose their ability to speak, it seems that the memory preservation continues into the later stages of Alzheimer’s. To find this information, a team of researchers from Northwestern University ran cognitive and memory tests on a group of people with PPA and Alzheimer’s and a control group of individuals with only Alzheimer’s. What they found was that those with both illnesses showed no noticeable decline in memory over the course of more than four years. The average test subject had shown symptoms of Alzheimer’s for at least six years at the time of the second observation in this study, which took place about two and a half years after the study began.
These findings were published in the journal, Neurology.
Dementia, and all of the issues that come along with this, can be difficult to deal with. It is hard for those that suffer from these diseases and it is hard for the families that love them. Helping someone with dementia can be very tough, especially as the disease progresses and the needs become more severe. This is true regardless of whether there are comorbidities like PPA or it is the only issue that is being dealt with. Having a team of individuals that specialize in memory care is important because it creates a safety net that will ultimately improve the quality of care that your loved one receives. Not only does it give them better care, it also gives families peace of mind.
Regardless of what stage you are in when it comes to looking for care for a loved one, please know that there are a lot of options out there. In-home care is what we specialize in, but it’s just one of the options that exist. It might be right for some, but it’s not perfect for all. Everyone has different needs and goals when it comes to care. Finding something that works for your family’s unique situation should be your top priority.
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