Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders are degenerative diseases of the brain. These diseases lead to a progressive and irreversible decline in cognitive function as well as a progressive and gradual loss of autonomy. However, how they present and how they evolve can vary.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 65% of all cases of neurocognitive disorders. Other neurocognitive disorders can affect a person, such as:
vascular neurocognitive disorder
frontotemporal degeneration
Lewy body disease
neurocognitive disorder associated with Parkinson’s disease
The exact cause of these diseases is not fully understood yet.
Signs and symptoms
The signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurocognitive disorders can vary greatly between people. The most common signs are as follows:
impaired memory
difficulty with orientation to time and place
difficulty getting organized
difficulty planning actions in a coherent way to achieve a goal
difficulty expressing oneself verbally
changes in personality
changes in behaviour
changes in mood
It is important to note that some of these signs may also be caused by other health conditions that are treatable. Each type of neurocognitive disorder also has its own characteristics.
The signs evolve over time. At first, they are mild, but they gradually become increasingly disruptive.
It is recommended to consult a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner as soon as one or more of these signs appear.
Treatment
At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other neurocognitive disorders. Pharmacological and non pharmacological treatments may, however, alleviate or resolve some of the symptoms.
Consequences
The consequences vary for each person living with these diseases, especially depending on:
their personality
their relationship to life
their past experiences
their values
their beliefs
These diseases always develop in a particular context, which is as important as the disease itself.
The possible consequences are as follows:
uncertainty, incomprehension and suffering from the time the first symptoms appear, throughout the assessment process and when the diagnosis is announced
fear of becoming a burden for one’s loved ones
a progressive loss of decision‑making and functional autonomy, resulting in several bereavements
social isolation, in particular due to prejudice and discrimination by the population
The life expectancy of people with these diseases is also shorter. For example, for Alzheimer’s disease, it is six years on average, but can be up to 20 years in some cases.
It is vital to remember that life does not stop after being diagnosed with one of these diseases. People do not become incompetent overnight. They can continue to make decisions in the early stages of the disease and maintain some of their abilities, even in the later stages.
For many people, the diagnosis can be an opportunity to refocus on the activities, occupations and achievements that really matter to them.
Consequences for informal and family caregivers
Among informal and family caregivers,
58% are children
32% are spouses
10% have another relationship with the person
The role of informal and family caregivers with people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another neurocognitive disorder is essential. However, it often has a significant impact on their lives:
Informal and family caregivers spend an average of 26 hours a week supporting someone who has one of these diseases. This considerable support testifies to the intensity of care and support these people need.
They are more at risk of experiencing distress than informal and family caregivers of older adults in general.
There can be significant financial costs for the loved ones of people living with these diseases.
Furthermore, informal and family caregivers have various needs, including for
To prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurocognitive disorders, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. It is recommended to promote, in particular,
a good education and activities to stimulate memory, especially after age 40
The risk of developing any of these diseases increases significantly with age. These diseases affect around 8% of people aged 65 and over and around 33% of people aged 80 and over. Some people develop these diseases before the age of 65, although this is much rarer.
Due to the accelerated aging of Quebec’s population, the number of people living with one of these diseases tripled between 2000 and 2019. In 2021, nearly 150,000 people were living with Alzheimer’s disease or another neurocognitive disorder.
Resources
Information and support resources
For help or for more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders, resources are available: