Residents of the Lehigh Valley are not immune to the effects of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Certain diagnoses bring fear and hopelessness to the sufferer and their loved ones. Memory problems may portend a difficult life ahead, but are not usually considered to be fatal. South Mountain Memory Care, a memory care community near Allentown, PA, understands the special needs of memory-impaired individuals and provides individual, compassionate, up-to-date care for dementia patients.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a term used for memory loss and cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with daily life. The disease damages brain cells, leading to a gradual decline in memory, reasoning, and personality changes. As it progresses, it affects vital brain functions, making even basic tasks like eating or speaking difficult.
Can a person die from Alzheimer’s disease?
The short answer is “Yes.” Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells, which can cause many dangerous conditions. It can also be a secondary cause of physical hazards. Although Alzheimer’s is not a necessary part of aging, it does occur most often in seniors, who may already be coping with other signs and effects of aging and weakness.
The length of time between diagnosis and end-of-life can vary from about 4 or 5 years to up to 20 years, depending on the age of the patient at the time of onset.
Alzheimer’s itself does not directly cause death, but complications from the loss of brain function can be life-threatening. On a side note, Alzheimer’s is not always recognized as a cause of death on a death certificate; usually, the result—such as pneumonia—is listed, making it difficult to track the number of deaths from Alzheimer’s.
What are some complications of Alzheimer’s disease?
In advanced stages, patients may experience the following, especially if susceptibility to other illnesses and conditions is present.
Loss of communication Patient reaction may range from anxiety and verbal abuse to withdrawal. The eventual loss of communication can hide medical symptoms.
Loss of body functions Bowel and bladder complications, appetite and swallowing issues, delirium, and mobility issues can lead to infections, dehydration, weight loss, choking, falls, wandering, and other dangerous results.
Immobility Low-mobility and bedridden patients can suffer bed sores, infections, and organ failure.
Alzheimer’s disease is considered a fatal condition because of its effects. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Out of the top 10 causes of death, it’s the only one without an effective treatment or cure.
Whatever the cause or level of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!