Around the world, there are roughly 47 million people who suffer from some sort of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the more common types of dementia, and it also one of the hardest diseases to treat. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and although researchers are beginning to learn more about how the disease works and how it spreads, treatment is currently geared toward slowing it down, rather than halting or curing it.
According to some estimates, about 65 percent of all dementia cases are Alzheimer’s disease. This is why studies that examine Alzheimer’s disease from a new perspective or a new angle are so important. Not only can these studies help us to understand the disease better, they can provide potential ways for improving the quality of life for those that have the disease or may be at risk of developing it. These are people that have families and people that are loved. By taking steps now, researchers are in the important position of helping to improve lives down the road.
One recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology looked at information from over 57,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s and began to breakdown the demographics of those who have the disease. In the past, it’s always been assumed that women are more likely to develop the disease than men are, but this new study showed that this is only partially true. Both men and women that are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease aged 55 to 85 actually have a very similar chance of developing the disease. It is a very specific age bracket–65 to 75 years old–where women have a higher risk than men of getting Alzheimer’s.
Researchers hope to use this information to create better treatment plans for all individuals that have or may have the disease. They also hope to use this information to find out exactly why this group of women are at a higher risk.
If you have a loved one that has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they may be in need of senior care or memory care. Having a caregiver that is trained to help those suffering from this disease is important. At Paradise In-Home Care, we ensure that our caregivers are not only fully trained in helping those with dementia, but that they are compassionate, loving, and responsible. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area and you are looking for assistance for a family member, or just want to learn more about how in-home care can improve the lives of those with dementia, give us a call today. We can set up a free consultation and help you better plan for the care of your mom or dad.
The senior care process is a stressful one. Hopefully, we can help make this tough time a little less stressful for you and everyone else in your family. Having a loved one in declining physical or mental health is never easy, but having a skilled and loving care team on your side can help.
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