The Ministry of Health (MOH) participates in observing the World Alzheimer’s Day, which is held this year under the theme “Let’s talk about dementia”, with the aim of raising the awareness of the seriousness of the disease and ways of prevention. Alzheimer’s incidence doubles every 5 years after the age of 65.
According to MOH, the risk of Alzheimer's disease increases with age, and it is characterized by sudden appearance, making patient losing control on his daily life completely. It is typically progresses in three stages: early stage, which includes losing latest memory and forgetting some familiar words and names. In the second or middle stage there is remarkable deterioration in social life and inability to remember some family members. In the third or late stage the patient has a complete loss of memory, and is in need of full care and assistance to carry out the daily activities.
It added that there are clear differences between Alzheimer’s disease and normal aging, whose symptoms include forgetting part of the experience and which day it is, but remembering them later, losing things from time to time, slow response and thinking, and making bad decision once in a while. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s symptoms include forgetting names of close friends, unusual behaviors, memory weakness, difficulty with planning, losing personal items, accusing others and confusion with time and place.
It is noteworthy that Alzheimer’s disease causes gradual decline in memory and thinking skills until they become almost non-existent, however education and raising awareness of the disease can help reducing its risk.