Is Senility the Same as Alzheimer's Disease

Many people categorize Alzheimer's, dementia, and senility as being all the same, but there are differences. People suffering with Alzheimer's disease complain of continuous decline of various neurological functions. One of the primary symptoms of the disease includes rapid memory loss. In addition, you can find the person losing comprehension and logical ability. While Alzheimer's is only one type of dementia, senility is a term that refers to the gradual slowdown of mental functioning, shrinking memory and concentration when people get older.

It is possible to diagnose Alzheimer's disease through mental function testing and analysis of personal and family history. This examination is necessary to rule out possibilities of vitamin B deficiency, depression, hypothyroidism, consequence of a head injury, and/or brain tumor. Sometimes, an ECG may indicate dwindling brain waves, but in the majority of cases, the Alzheimer's is diagnosed only after the death of the sufferer.

Though extensive research has been done in this field, the cause of Alzheimer's disease is still not known. Therefore, we have no efficient ways to treat this disease. The role of a caretaker is extremely important for a person suffering with Alzheimer's. The caretaker should work towards controlling the symptoms of the disease and provide compassionate care to such people. In addition, the person suffering with Alzheimer's should not suffer any injuries.

Often, people with Alzheimer's are not able to get effective elderly care in the early stages of the disease, and their mental functioning weakens at a faster rate. The situation can worsen to the extent that even their reasoning and memory gets damaged, and it becomes difficult for family members to leave the person unattended. In such situations, the task of caring for a person at home may become very difficult for a caregiver. You are recommended to seek medical assistance and put your loved one at a place where he or she gets round the clock attention and supervision. You must try to get as much information as possible about this disease in order to provide adequate and timely elderly help for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease. You should also speak to health care professionals, social workers, and community agencies to know options available to you.

Remember, a person with Alzheimer's is likely to change rapidly. You may find them clear headed and joyful in the morning, but utterly confused by lunch time. Therefore, caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can become very difficult for a caregiver as this can severely affect day-to-day planning. Therefore, you may have to provide caregiving on a rotational basis with as few changes as possible. Get in touch with elderly care service agencies to know the options for caregivers. However, you should ensure that you get adequate rest and take multiple breaks while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. Also, in order to reduce stress, you must not take incidents of verbal or physical abuse personally. Remember, a person with Alzheimer's cannot control their actions. Therefore, it makes sense to act on time and remain in control, understanding that this is coming from the disease and not from your loved one.

For an easy-to-use on-line tool, seniorservicematch.com can help in finding care for your loved ones. This tool is designed to match seniors to people, places, and services that may be needed.