Alzheimer’s Disease

Key Takeaways About Alzheimer’s Disease:

It is the most common type of dementia and accounts for approximately 60-80% of dementia cases.
Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms are progressive, which means they get worse with time, and that new symptoms may present after diagnosis.
The average age of diagnosis for Alzheimer’s Disease is mid-60s, but those with a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease may start showing symptoms sooner.

The term ‘dementia’ is an umbrella term that comprises Alzheimer’s Disease in addition to the other four most common types of dementia: Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Parkinson’s with Dementia. Of these types, Alzheimer’s Disease is by far the most common.

“John and his team are dedicated to provide exceptional senior care for the older population of Louisville and the surrounding areas. What makes the amazing is their dedication to provide specialized dementia care services for seniors living with dementia. As we all know, dementia is a difficult disease process that is not only hard on the individual but family members as well. John and Premier Caregiver Service provide a level of care and peace of mind for families who are struggling balancing their daily-life obligations while also caring for, and constantly worrying about their parents who have this disease. I recommend them for providing dementia care at home, so your parent(s) can age-in-place safely, gracefully and with the care they deserve.”

―Ryan

Dementia Home Care Near Me, Louisville Caregiving Agency, Premier Caregiving

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease vary with each individual, and can develop as the disease progresses. Usually, this condition is sectioned into 3 stages: Early, Middle, and Late. The severity of the symptoms will all depend on how long your loved one has lived alongside Alzheimer’s Disease.

Common symptoms include:

Memory Loss
Thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving difficulties
Changes in language and communication
Difficulty doing daily tasks
Difficulty keeping track of time
Confusion about where they are
Vision changes that affect color, contrast, and depth perception
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps
Behavioral changes like impaired judgment or mood and personality shifts
Social withdrawal

The Three Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Stage 1: Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

Mild Alzheimer’s may not present any obvious symptoms. Many times, this stage is confused for normal age-related memory loss. However, close friends and family might be able to detect slight differences in their loved ones, such as:

Having trouble remembering names or vocabulary
New issues performing social or professional tasks
Losing valuable or important objects
Difficulties planning or organizing

Stage 2: Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease is the longest stage. This is when symptoms become more pronounced and distinguishable, which causes individuals to require more care to live. Symptoms normally include:

Behavioral changes due to frustration, anger, or fear
Refusal to complete daily hygiene or care tasks
A drop in their level of communication
More pronounced memory loss, including personal history and information, date, and time
Increased risk of wandering and getting lost
Decreased control of bodily functions

Stage 3: Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

How Common is Alzheimer’s Disease?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2025 Disease Facts and Figures report, an estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 or older have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. That is about 1 in 9 adults within that age range. It accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, including cases of mixed pathologies, or mixed dementia, which is when an individual demonstrates characteristics of multiple types of dementia.

Those kinds of statistics can be scary, but the good news is that, as this disease becomes more prevalent, so do studies and scientific data. We know more about what increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, treatments, and best practices for management than ever.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease is a very prominent condition that is being studied extensively by researchers worldwide. However, like many conditions of the brain, there is no exclusive cause of Alzheimer’s that applies to every case that scientists have identified. There can be similarities, though, and those help scientists understand the disease and draw conclusions from new data that comes in.

For example, scientists have identified abnormal deposits of proteins that form amyloid plaques and tau tangles on and inside neurons in all parts of the brain in many cases of Alzheimer’s (2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures, Alzheimer’s Association). However it is only a common similarity and not classified as a cause.

Factors that Increase the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

There might not be one cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, but there are different factors that can increase the risk of developing the condition. These can include:

Age

As the body ages, it changes as well. The brain experiences age-related changes too like shrinkage, a shift in the level of chemicals it delivers for cognitive functions, and a decrease in blood flow (How the Aging Brain Affects Thinking, National Institute on Aging). Those with Alzheimer’s Disease have higher numbers of damaged neurons, which is not normal. This disrupts communication in the brain which then affects memory, language, reasoning, and social behavior (What Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease?, National Institute of Aging).

Genetics and Family History

There isn’t a single gene that causes Alzheimer’s Disease. Instead, the condition is influenced by a combination of multiple genes, lifestyle, and environmental factors. While individuals who develop Alzheimer’s Disease do not always have someone in their family who also had the condition, if one family member had it, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease as well (What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?, National Institute of Aging).

Head Injuries

Chronic inflammation of the brain that can sometimes result from head injuries have been linked to developing Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association). This is often because of past injuries from car accidents or contact sports like football, rugby, boxing, and hockey.

Other Health Conditions

According to research, there is evidence that some medical conditions and lifestyle factors can contribute to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. These include medical conditions like:

Heart Disease
Stroke
High Blood Pressure
Hearing Loss
Depression
Traumatic Brain Injuries

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors are an important part of health in general. When it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease, overall health also plays a part. You can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by maintaining brain, body, and heart health (What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?, National Institute of Aging). You might be increasing your risk with factors such as:

Physical inactivity
Obesity or an unhealthy diet
Heavy alcohol use
Poor sleep habits
Social isolation
Lack of mental stimulation

Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer’s Disease

What are the 5 warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

5 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease are most commonly:

1. Disruptive memory loss
2. Inability to complete familiar tasks
3. Confusion with time or place
4. Difficulty speaking or writing
5. Difficulty planning things or solving problems

Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?

What is the life expectancy of a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?

Life expectancy of someone with Alzheimer’s depends on several factors like age, what stage their Alzheimer’s has progressed to, and if they have any other health conditions. However, based on data that scientists have from studies, the average life expectancy from diagnosis averages at 8-10 years when diagnosed early. That number drops to an average of 3 years for those in their late 80s and 90s, though.

What happens as Alzheimer’s progresses?

What is the difference between normal forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s?

Professional At-Home Alzheimer’s Disease Care in Louisville, KY

Alzheimer’s Disease is usually diagnosed when a loved one is in their mid-60s or older, but if you have a family history of the condition, signs may begin showing sooner. At Premier Caregiver Services in Louisville, KY, we are dementia care experts. We regularly train our caregivers with the best practices in Alzheimer’s Disease care, and are involved in several different dementia-care related associations. Our philosophy revolves around unique care plans tailored to your loved one for the best quality of life they can have—in any place they might be— with our services:

Happiness and longevity is possible for your loved one, even when they begin experiencing new, scary emotions and life changes. By choosing a caregiving service that is invested in and passionate about your senior’s health, satisfaction, and quality of life, we can make the promise that they will be in the best hands. We’ll provide whatever services are necessary to walk alongside your loved one and help them adjust to their condition at each and every stage for as long as we can.

To learn more and start your journey to private dementia care, fill out our complimentary assessment form or call us directly at (502) 718-8727.

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