What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It’s a physical condition that occurs when the connections between nerve cells in the brain are lost.

The most common signs of Alzheimer’s are:

• Problems with memory, especially with recent events in the early stages
• Difficulty with thinking and language

While Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, meaning it will gradually worsen over time, there are some drug treatments that can help boost the levels of a chemical that helps send signals between cells.

Are dementia and Alzheimer’s disease the same?

No, dementia is an umbrella term for lots of different conditions that affect the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are hundreds of other subtypes.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

Memory problems are the most well-known symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, and this is common in the early stages. As the condition progresses, other symptoms may emerge. 

The common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are:

• Forgetting names of people, places and objects
• Misplacing items
• Asking repetitive questions
• Anxiety or agitation
• Getting lost 
• Impulsive behaviour
• Delusions or paranoia
• Problems with speech or language
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty judging distances
• Seeing or hearing things
• Problems eating or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Weight loss
• Loss of speech

Alzheimer’s care at Care UK

At Care UK, we understand that dementia affects everyone differently, and that’s why we tailor the care we provide to each individual’s needs. Our dementia care homes cater to those living with Alzheimer’s disease by offering safe and welcoming spaces with expert care on hand around the clock. We work with experts so all colleagues are trained in line with the latest research, and our Dementia Champions in each home ensure teams are working to the highest standards.

We help older people living with Alzheimer’s disease to continue living as independently as possible, so they have full and meaningful lives.

Learn more about dementia care at Care UK.

Our Alzheimer’s care homes

Many of our care homes offer support for those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. You can find your local care home with our find a care home search tool, simply select ‘Dementia care’ in the drop-down menu. 

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