What is Alzheimer’s Disease : Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a gradual loss of memory, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impaired judgment and ability to plan, and personality changes. Over time, these changes become so severe that they interfere with an individual’s daily functioning, resulting eventually in death. Although not a normal part of aging, 1 in 7 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 may have Alzheimer’s disease.
There is no cure for AD. However, there are effective strategies to help maintain cognitive function, reduce behavioral symptoms, prevent acute care crises and excess disability, and delay functional decline as well as nursing home placement.

National Information and Resources

There are great resources available on the Internet for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them. Here are a few key links you may find useful.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer’s_disease

Alzheimer’s Disease Association, Singapore | Dementia: ADA (Singapore) offers personalised daycare for persons with dementia, as well as support for their caregivers. Call our helpline at 6377 0700 now.

Statistics | Alzheimer’s Disease Association (Singapore): Particularly, the prevalence of dementia in Singapore, those aged 65 years and above in year 2005 was 22,000. By 2020 it is projected the figure will increase to …