Alzheimer's Disease: More than Just Memory Loss

The National Institute on Aging offers an "Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet" that discusses some of the latest thinking on Alzheimer's treatment. It mentions some medications that may slow progress of the disease, and medications that are currently being studied.

The Better Health Channel is an Australian site with a page on Alzheimer's disease and how exercise can help relieve some of the effects of the disease, such as depression.

WebMD has a page on "Treatment and Care" discusses the various medications that are available in the United States for the management of Alzheimer's disease as well as behavioral issues like how to treat agitation in people who have Alzheimer's.

The Alzheimer's Association points out that drug and non-drug treatments may be effective in managing the symptoms of Alzheimer's. There are sections devoted to standard treatments, alternative treatments, methods for combating the changes in sleep patterns that often occur in Alzheimer's patients, and even a section on the benefits of vitamin E in Alzheimer's treatment.

The Alzheimer's Association has information for people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, including how the disease will affect you as it progresses, tips on how to cope and how to maintain your independence, and ideas on how to get involved in the fight against the disease. In the "Message Boards" section, register for full access to the community or just browse for read-only access. There's also a section where you can ask questions from a "Care Consultant."

The Alzheimer Society of Canada has a section called "I Have Alzheimer's Disease" with information on the disease itself, how to cope, and an audio version of "Shared Experiences: Suggestions for those with Alzheimer Disease." The "Have Your Say" pages are a place for those with Alzheimer's to share their thoughts and feelings on living with the disease while the "Creative Space" area offers an area where you can express yourself in writing ("The Writing Room") and with art ("The Art Gallery").

The National Institute on Aging "Publications" page offers three publications for people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (scroll down to the section titled: "Especially for the Patient"): Just For You, a newsletter called Perspectives, and Speaking Our Minds: Personal Reflections From Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease.

MedlinePlus offers many resources to help you cope with Alzheimer's disease. The "Learn More" section is particularly useful for those dealing with the disease, featuring topics like "Coping" and "Disease Management." When you select a topic, you'll get a list of relevant sites that the MedlinePlus staff has review; some of these Web sites have information available in languages other than English.

The National Family Caregivers Association is devoted to supporting and empowering people who care for loved ones suffering with a chronic illness, old age, or disability. Visit the "Caregiving Resources" link at the upper left of the page for a long list of tips, agencies, workshops, newsletters, and guides that can help you cope with your responsibilities. The "Connecting Caregivers" section provides lots of ways to connect with others for guidance and support through message boards, events, and a network of volunteers.

Family Caregiving 101 begins with "Top 10 Questions," a great place to start to find scenarios that may match your own situation. Issues like caring for elderly parents who live out of state, the stages of caregiving, and how to find help are all addressed. The "How to Manage" section gives 10 tips for caregivers to better care for themselves and also suggests ways to assess whether you and your home are prepared to provide care.

The Alzheimer's Association site has a section called "Coping" specifically for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. It focuses on the issues that caregivers face such as stress, depression, how to talk to kids, and more. You'll also find sections for financial concerns, how to keep your loved one safe, weaving your way through Medicare and Medicaid, and options for care. There are message boards you can visit and tools for how to advocate for people who are affected by Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada offers many services and support to caregivers. One important one is called the "Safely Home Registry," which allows Canadians to register loved ones in case they wander off and become lost. The section on "Alzheimer Care" covers finding help, long-term care, and more.

Alzheimer Europe is dedicated to helping people within the European Union who have Alzheimer's and their caregivers. They offer suggestions on how to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease and "Tips for Carers," a section that presents situations that other families have faced when dealing with Alzheimer's.

The National Institute on Aging has a "Home/Family" page with many articles that may help you, ranging from physical care for someone with Alzheimer's to visiting the doctor. Their "Other Resources" area lists publications and Web sites on topics like coping with emotions and legal and financial issues.

The American Health Assistance Foundation offers caregivers information such as what is available in the community, how to solve daily problems, where to find safety products, and how to create a safe home environment. The "Resources" page links to the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospitals" and to a database of nationwide support groups, searchable by state, city, or zip code.

MedlinePlus has a "Go Local" portal, a guide that covers the entire United States. Some states have "Complete Go Local Coverage," while some only have basic (hospital coverage). After clicking on your state, choose your city from the drop-down menu. You can further refine your search by choosing a hospital specialty or hospital services. You are then provided a list of hospitals, nursing homes, support groups, even adult day services.

CareGivers USA is a non-commercial directory of community-based caregiver support services. By entering your state or zip code, you are provided with a list of senior services. You can search for services that are provided in languages other than English, too: they offer listings for services provided in Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Vietnamese.

The AHRQ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, provides a section called "Your Guide to Choosing Quality Health Care." You'll find information on the different types of long-term care that are available, how to assess the quality of home care versus nursing home care, and how to pay for the services.

The Eldercare Search section of the Department of Health & Human Services is another site that can help locate services for your loved one. Fill out a form stating your needs and your location, and you'll get the name and contact information of a group that may be helpful.

The HealthCentral Network site, part of the Family Caregiver Alliance, provides a state-by-state resource. Click on your state on the map provided to find a list of resources for the area.

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has a Web site that allows you to do a region-specific search for care managers. The site discusses how to find the right care manager, suggests questions to ask, and provides ways to assess whether the person you are hiring is qualified to do the job.

The Alzheimer's Association has a section, "Just for Kids & Teens," that describes in child- and teen-friendly language what Alzheimer's disease is, how it affects the brain, and how it will affect them, the children. There are age-specific stories and even a section on how to spend time with a person who has Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada has an "Alzheimer Care" page with two helpful sections: one on talking to children about Alzheimer's disease and one on talking to teens. The society offers a list of activities that your child or teen could engage in with the Alzheimer's family member, and book lists for the appropriate age groups.

KidsHealth has an introduction to Alzheimer's disease written with young readers in mind. It covers what happens in the brain, how it's diagnosed, what doctors can do, and how to cope, in a voice suitable for children.

Mayo Clinic s article, "Alzheimer's: Helping children understand the disease," is a brief guide designed to prepare parents for the questions their children might have if a friend or loved one contracts Alzheimer's.