Posted by
ap111 on October 18, 2000 at 16:35:44:
In Reply to: Re: alzheimer's chat posted by Betty Thomas on October 18, 2000 at 13:01:34:
: I was wondering if you could tell me when a person needs to start looking for signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
: I'm 61, and I have a slight history of Alzheimer's, does that mean I am at risk or should I have it by now?
: Thank You, Betty Thomas
Hi, Betty. Here's what I've heard from doctors and on the web. There isn't a set age when a person should be looking for signs of Alzheimer's. Some people can get it in their 30's or 40's, although that's rare. I think most cases are during age 65 and over. You say you have a slight history, do you mean you have close family or relatives not in immediate family. Genetic possibility between indentical twins is quite high but if it's between parent and child or between relatives, the risk is pretty low, genetically speaking. Common signs are impaired memory/abstract thinking, disorientation with time/place, difficulty with language/communication, personality changes. Keep in mind that a significant number of cases of dementia is reversible/treatable.
