Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder named after the German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906.^[1] Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and fatal brain disease, which affects 5.3 million Americans. The disease destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, or social life. Alzheimer's disease worsens over time, and it is ultimately fatal. Alzheimer's stages come in seven phases as the disease progresses.^[1]

• Stage 1: No impairment
• Stage 2: Very mild decline
• Stage 3: Mild decline
• Stage 4: Moderate decline (mild or early stage)
• Stage 5: Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage)
• Stage 6: Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage)
• Stage 7: Very severe decline (severe or late stage)

As the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's accounts for 50 percent to 70 percent of dementia cases. Though there is no cure for Alzheimer's, there are treatments for symptoms, and services and support for Alzheimer's care.

For More Information

For in-depth information on Alzheimer's disease and care, read Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview in our Elder Health Guides section.

Learn more about Alzheimer's care services at Emeritus.