What is Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurological disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate and die. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior and is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a continuous decline in cognitive skills, behavior, and social abilities that impairs a person’s ability to live independently.
Key Characteristics
- Memory Loss: One of the earliest and most prominent symptoms is difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, severe memory impairment ensues.
- Cognitive Decline: This includes difficulties in thinking, reasoning, making judgments and decisions, and planning. Complex tasks become challenging.
- Disorientation: Individuals often lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may also become confused about their location and the passage of time.
- Changes in Behavior and Personality: This can include mood swings, depression, social withdrawal, changes in sleeping habits, distrust in others, wandering, and loss of inhibitions.
- Difficulty with Familiar Tasks: As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s may struggle with daily tasks such as cooking, driving, or managing finance
Causes and Risk Factors
- Age: The primary risk factor is age, with the risk increasing significantly after the age of 65.
- Genetics: Family history and specific genetic markers, such as the APOE ε4 allele, increase the risk.
- Lifestyle: Conditions such as smoking, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and lack of exercise can increase the risk.
- Others: A history of brain injury, depression, and lower levels of education are also associated with a higher risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease develop slowly and worsen over time, typically divided into three stages
- Early Stage (Mild): Memory loss, confusion, trouble with language, and difficulties with planning or organizing.
- Middle Stage (Moderate): Increased memory loss, difficulty recognizing loved ones, and challenges in performing daily activities. Behavioral changes may also occur.
- Late Stage (Severe): Loss of ability to communicate, severe confusion, and dependency on others for daily activities.
Impacts on Quality of Life
- Memory Decline: Short-term memory is often the first to be affected, such as forgetting recent events, while long-term memory may remain intact in the early stages of the disease.
- Cognitive Decline: Thinking, decision-making, and planning become increasingly difficult, such as managing finances or cooking meals.
- Communication Problems: Difficulty finding the right words, understanding conversations, and expressing feelings.
- Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Such as irritability, mood swings, social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression.
- Loss of Ability to Perform Daily Activities: Such as dressing, eating, and self-care.
- Loss of Perception and Decision-Making: Problems may arise with making decisions in everyday situations, planning trips, or correctly using medications.
Sources
Training Program for Caregivers of Elderly Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease
ZymerTrain is a Training Program for Caregivers of Elderly Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: In this program, you, the player will take on the role of caregivers at a nursing home, helping elderly residents with their daily activities through various scenarios.
The Game to Assist The Elderly
Mobile
Play Everywhere
Free*
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Full Version
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Multilanguage**
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Free Updates
PC
Play on Desktop
Free*
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Full Version
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Multilanguage**
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Free Updates
VR
Play on Virtual Reality
Free*
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Full Version
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Multilanguage**
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Free Updates
*Additional services outside the main game may incur extra charges
**Thai, English, and Chinese languages supported
