is characterized by greater difficulty in doing things that require planning, decision making, and judgement. For example, during this stage, one may have difficulties working, balancing a checkbook, or driving a car. Everyday skills such as personal grooming arent affected, but social withdrawal begins (Alzheimers.com). Perhaps driving ability is one of the first skills lost to the disease, presumably because it demands so much information processing, and requires constant decision making (PlanetRx).Eventually, people with Alzheimers disease cant do simple tasks of daily living such as eating, bathing, and using the toilet. They may lack interest in personal hygiene and appearance, and lose their usual sexual inhibitions. They may have a hard time recognizing all but their closest daily companions. Communication of all kinds becomes difficult as written and spoken language dwindles. Withdrawal from family members begins and the person may become agitated, displaying belligerence and denial of the illness (Alzheimers.com). Memory problems also frequently result in interpersonal problems. The victim tends to ask the same question repeatedly (Soukup, 1996). Persons with Alzheimers often make constant demands and ask incessant questions in effort to understand where and who they are and what is happening to them (Check, 1989). Alzheimers sufferers also tend to become angry and irritable when they misplace items of significance (Soukup, 1996).In the last stages of the disease, a person with Alzheimers becomes bedridden, unable to recognize themselves or their closest family members. They make small, purposeless movements and communicate only by screaming out occasionally. Essentially, the brain forgets how to live. Death often results from pneumonia and complications of immobility (Alzheimers.com).Diagnosis and Treatment of AlzheimersAt the New York University Medical Center, Dr. Reisbery and colleagues have shown that the dec...
