1. the overview
   1. gets worse over time
   2. causes a steady loss of memory, how well you can speak, think, and do your daily activities.
   3. also a form of dementia
   4. most common cause of mental decline
2. the cause
   1. changes in the brain
   2. loss of chemical messengers in the brain
3. signs and symptoms
   1. Have trouble making decisions
   2. be confused about what time and day it is
   3. Get lost in places you know well
   4. Have trouble learning and remembering new information
   5. Have trouble finding the right words to say what you want to say
   6. Have more trouble doing daily tasks
4. Who the disease affects
   1. One in 7 people over age 71 has a form of dementia
   2. 2.3 percent of those ages 71 to 79
   3. 18 percent of those ages 80 to 89
   4. 29.7 percent of those 90 or older
   5. more women than men develop it
5. treatments
   1. There is no cure
   2. medicines that may slow symptoms down for a while and make the disease easier to live with
6. test
   1. doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam
   2. doctor may do some simple things that test your memory and other mental skills
   3. exam usually includes blood tests
   4. CT scans and MRI scans, which look at your brain
7. prevention
   1. there is no known way to prevent Alzheimer's disease
   2. there are things that may make it less likely.
      1. being physically active
      2. being mentally active
      3. going out and remaining as socially active as possible
      4. people who eat more fruits and vegetables, high-fiber foods, fish, and omega-3 rich oils
      5. people who eat less red meat and dairy
8. geriatric specialties in your area
   1. physical therapy departments
   2. nursing homes
   3. at home health
9. the specialties
   1. physical therapy departments help people learn how to do ADL's again
   2. physical therapy departments help elders regain or maintain their ROM
   3. nursing homes insure a safe place for the elderly to continue living out their lives
   4. at home health agencies help in the keeping people at home as long as they can be safe
10. references
    1. http://www.wakehealth.edu/Health-Encyclopedia/Health-Topics/Alzheimers-Disease.htm
    2. http://www.caring.com/articles/age-and-sex-alzheimers-risk