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Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the aging population. It is an irreversible, progressive
brain disorder that occurs gradually and results in memory loss, unusual behaviour, personality changes and a decline in thinking
abilities that cannot be reversed. The losses are as a result of the death of brain cells and the breakdown of the connections
between them. The course of the disease varies from individual to individual as does the rate of decline. On average,
persons with AD live from eight to ten years after they are diagnosed; however, the disease may last up to twenty years.
There is no known cause or cure for the disease. Currently, there are some 364.000 Canadians who have Alzheimer's Disease
or a related dementia. Some two-thirds of these people are women. About one-half of these individuals still live
at home, usually receiving considerable assistance from family members. At the present time,the health care costs for
dealing with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias amounts to a staggering $5.5 billion annually in Canada.
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WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions of sufficient severity to interfere with a person's daily functioning.
It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms which may accompany certain diseases or physical conditions.
The cause and rate of progression of dementias vary. Some of the more well known diseases that produce dementia include
Alzheimer's disease, Vascular dementia, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and Parkinson's disease.
Other conditions which may cause or mimic dementia include depression, brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, head injuries,
hydrocephalus, infections (AIDS, meningitus, syphilis), drug reactions and thyroid problems. It is very important that
all persons experiencing memory deficits or confusion undergo a thorough diagnostic examination by a physician. This
examination may include detailed laboratory testings.
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