What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases.

Alzheimer’s disease is 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

Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition that increasingly affects memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple daily tasks. Alzheimer’s is caused when clumps of plaques and proteins build up inside and around brain cells, increasingly affecting the way that chemical messages are able to move around, slowly destroying nerve cells, which eventually cause the brain to shrink.

Are dementia and Alzheimer’s disease the same?

No, dementia is a broad term  that is used to describe a collection of different symptoms that affect the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common condition that causes dementia, but there are hundreds of other conditions that also cause a person to develop dementia, including Vascular dementia  and Dementia with Lewey Bodies.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

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

Alzheimer’s care at Care UK

At Care UK, we understand that having 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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