Detecting Alzheimer’s Disease Early in Burlington

79% of Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before experiencing symptoms.

How Does Early Detection Work?

There are several limitations in current detection methods, such as complexity and accessibility. These challenges illustrate the need for more readily available tools for those suffering from dementia. That being said, the latest advancement in early detection is through blood-based biomarker tests. Blood tests are significantly simpler to administer and are commonly used to monitor other health conditions. Experts believe that blood tests could help improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis in Alzheimer’s patients.

Biomarkers are changes in our biological makeup that can be measured. They can help indicate the presence or absence of a condition and assess the risk of developing disease symptoms. If you were curious about what the biomarkers are for Alzheimer’s, they are the proteins beta-amyloid and p-tau. Blood tests look for an accumulation of either of the aforementioned proteins as evidence of changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s. Research is currently underway to determine the viability of biomarker tests evaluating saliva and the skin for signals of changes in the brain.

Benefits of Early Detection

One main benefit of detecting the disease early is potentially qualifying for early treatment. However, there are many other practical benefits of being diagnosed early:

• Reducing anxiety
• Promoting peace of mind with clarity of your status
• Improved clarity, education, and understanding
• Empowerment to promote a sense of self-control and agency
• Improved personal and financial planning through more informed decision-making
• Promoting healthy behaviors, i.e. physical activity and nutritious diet
• Engaging in proactive safety measures such as home modifications, awareness of driving ability, and medication compliance
• Creating the potential for better outcomes and improved quality of life

Attitudes About Early Detection and Treatment

The following takeaways are based on a survey conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association among adults aged 45 and older. Read on for some of the key findings:

• 99% said it is important to diagnose Alzheimer’s early
• 59% view cognitive screening for Alzheimer’s as a very important aspect of preventive health care
• 80% said they would ask for a simple medical test rather than wait for their doctor to suggest it
• 73% stated that being able to take medication that slows the progression would help their feelings about an early diagnosis
• 81% expect future treatments to stop the progression of the disease

These results demonstrate that Americans strongly value early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. They want to know before they start to experience cognitive decline. They are also very interested in medication to slow the disease, and for future treatments to stop progression and prevent it.

Griswold is Here to Help

At Griswold Home Care for Burlington, we offer a range of care services, including dementia care support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Included in our dementia-focused care, our Caregivers can reintroduce themselves when they arrive, prepare meals that accommodate struggles with utensils, stimulate short-term memory through cognitive activities, interact with them in their version of reality, and help them recall a life well-lived. Give us a call today to learn more! If you’re looking to start to care soon, we can typically have a Caregiver to your home within 24 hours of inquiry.