Alzheimer’s diseaseElizabeth MercadoWalden UniversityAdvanced Pathophysiology NURS 6501January 21, 2018
What is Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that affects an estimated 5.4 million AmericansIt is the sixth leading cause of death among all adults and the fifth leading cause for those aged 65 or olderThe causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are not completely understood, but researchers believe they include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017).
In more than 90% of people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms do not appear until after age 60The incidence of the disease increases with age and doubles every 5 years beyond age 65In 2017, total payments for health care, long-term care, and hospice for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are estimated to be $259 billion
Clinical Manifestations
