Alzheimer’s is one of the topics that is covered often here on the Paradise In-Home Care blog. There’s a reason for that; Alzheimer’s is one of the more prevalent issues that impact the elderly. It’s the most widespread form of dementia, and it has a profound impact on seniors and their families.
In the past, I’ve written about different methods of detecting Alzheimer’s. While there’s no cure for the disease, there are things that can be done to minimize its impact, especially if it’s detected early on. Blood tests are one of the commonly used methods of diagnosing the disease. The big problem with this is that blood tests aren’t always accurate.
A new report out indicates that not all blood tests used to detect Alzheimer’s are as accurate as they could be. The research out of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that some blood tests are quite accurate, while others aren’t.
Alzheimer’s blood tests work by detecting biomarkers that contain traces of amyloid plaque, a substance that occurs in the brain in higher levels when Alzheimer’s disease is present. These types of blood tests should be able to detect Alzheimer’s much more quickly than conventional methods. However, if amyloid plaques are determined to be present, there are treatments out there that can help to lower the levels of these present in both the brain and the blood. This will not cure the disease, but rather help to fight some of the hallmark symptoms of the disease. It is a temporary solution designed to help make life better for the person suffering from Alzheimer’s.
There’s still a lot more work that needs to be done before a cure for the disease is discovered, but hopefully our understanding of the disease continues to grow in the meantime so that the quality of life of those suffering can be improved upon.
When a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, life can become overwhelming. Caring for a loved one is tough enough, but there is an emotional aspect to watching a loved one live with dementia that other health issues doesn’t have. It is exhausting physically and emotionally when you have a loved one dealing with this. Yes, early detection is important and can help make life better for those impacted by Alzheimer’s, but it is not a cure. It is a temporary help.
This is why it is so important to have a team of professionals on your side that can help you and your family through this. Medical intervention isn’t the only method of improving life–care can help, too.
If you have questions about how professional in-home care might be able to help you or a loved one with Alzheimer’s, please feel free to reach out to us. One of our professionals would be happy to sit down with you and talk more about the benefits of senior care and how it can help address some of the difficulties that Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can bring. Give us a call today to talk more.
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