Aging is an inescapable process. It is also very natural. With aging comes wisdom from the different life stages. However, there are some people who may go through aging differently. There are certain brain conditions that happen, especially for people as they age. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one example. Symptoms usually start to show at 65 years old. It affects cognitive abilities such as memory and organizing skills to the point that even basic activities are impacted.
In Dubai, AD poses to be a growing challenge as the population ages. One of the benefits of living in a developed city like Dubai is that the availability of healthcare services tends to increase life expectancy rates. However, this also means that diseases like AD can also be on the rise. Fortunately, there are geriatric care centers in the city that provide comprehensive support for people with AD. Families can also receive support when relationships are affected by this disease. While AD is incurable, there are treatments that can help manage its symptoms.
Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
1AD manifests differently for each person. But, they generally fall under the categories of memory, reasoning, language, spatial and visual relationships, and behaviors. The symptoms depend on the stage of the condition. The three stages of AD are early, middle, and late. These take into consideration that AD is a progressive disease.
Early Stage
Early-stage AD is when people experience mild symptoms. Examples of these are forgetting appointments or recent information. The person can start misplacing things or have trouble remembering a particular word.
Memory is affected, but not enough that it becomes a hindrance to daily functions. A person with early-stage AD can still live independently. However, memory lapses can start to cause inconveniences.
Middle Stage
The middle-stage of AD is typically the longest period of this disease. Symptoms become more pronounced. Long-term memory begins to be affected. At this stage, behavior and personality change as well. A person may be suspicious of friends or family and can be increasingly frustrated or agitated.
Someone with middle-stage AD will find living unassisted difficult since they will already need help caring for themselves. Even simple tasks such as bathing or going to the toilet can be too much for them. Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of middle stage AD is that a person tends to wander around. With this, they will need help to ensure safety.
Late Stage
At late-stage AD, physical functions are greatly affected by cognitive decline. People tend to lose their motor skills and even their ability to converse. Healthcare professionals usually recommend round-the-clock care and assistance for patients.
Some of the symptoms of late-stage AD are difficulty in walking and swallowing, almost total memory loss, and loss of bowel and urinary control. There are also physical manifestations. People with late-stage AD tend to be more prone to infections, such as pneumonia and skin diseases.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
AD happens when there is an unusual build-up of certain proteins, the amyloid protein and tau protein, in the brain. Researchers believe that these proteins create a one-two punch: the amyloid protein forms large masses called plaques, while the tau protein forms into tangles. The plaques and tangles interfere with the neural processes and cause these neurons to eventually die out.
While there is some understanding of how AD happens, why it occurs is still a mystery. Scientists do not know exactly what causes the protein build-up. One of the hypotheses is that a genetic mutation can cause it, particularly for early-onset AD. It is possible that AD is caused by genetic and environmental factors.
Aging and Other Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
Although the exact causes of AD are unknown, there are risk factors that have emerged from research. According to the US National Institute on Aging, one of the most significant ones is age. Up to a third of people over the age of 85 develop it. To be clear, not everyone who ages gets AD. However, one of the most common risk factors is age.
Sex also seems to have an impact on whether or not a person develops AD. According to researchers, a woman is up to three times more likely to get AD compared to a man.2 This may be because women generally live longer than men.
Genetics also plays a part in AD, which can be hereditary. There are two types of genes involved in AD. First, the familial genes can cause AD if they are passed from parent to child. Next is risk genes, which can increase an individual’s chances of developing AD.3
There are also risk factors that people have control over. An example of this is lifestyle. Traumatic brain injuries have been linked to the development of AD later on in life. 4 There are also studies that indicate that midlife obesity can increase the risk of AD.5
Healthy Aging Strategies
While there is no guaranteed way to avoid AD, there are some things people can do to reduce the risks associated with lifestyle. First, cardiovascular disease has been linked to AD.6 Taking care of your cardiovascular health can ripple into increasing brain health. Some of the changes that a person can take are avoiding smoking, limiting the intake of alcohol, and eating a healthy diet.7
Keeping the brain active as a person grows older is also a way to ensure healthy aging. In a way, it is like exercise for the brain. In fact, there is some research that supports the idea that staying mentally and socially active reduces the risk of developing AD.8 Stay active by keeping connected with friends and family. Joining community groups is also an effective way to socialize. You can also stimulate the brain by doing puzzles or playing word games by yourself or with a group.
Conclusion: Alzheimer’s Disease in Dubai
AD is undoubtedly a difficult disease to deal with. It is not just the patient, but also the family who has to deal with the effects. This is why it is important to set up proper support systems. It is not just the physical aspect that should be considered. Medication is just the start. However, a person with AD can also receive mental health treatments to deal with feelings of fear or uncertainty over what lies ahead. The family can also benefit from such support throughout the whole process.
While AD has no cure, it does not mean that there is no hope as well. Treatments, including mental health techniques, can change the progression of the disease as well as improve the quality of life.
Sources Cited:
- National Institute on Aging. What are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease? ↩︎
- Bendlin BB, Carlsson CM, Gleason CE, et al. Midlife predictors of Alzheimer’s disease. Maturitas. 2010;65(2):131-137. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.12.014 ↩︎
- Alzheimer’s Society. (n.d.). Who gets Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s Society. Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/who-gets-alzheimers-disease ↩︎
- Graham NS, Sharp DJ
Understanding neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury: from mechanisms to clinical trials in dementia
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2019;90:1221-1233. ↩︎ - Zhuang QS, Meng L, Wang Z, Shen L, Ji HF. Associations Between Obesity and Alzheimer’s Disease: Multiple Bioinformatic Analyses. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;80(1):271-281. doi: 10.3233/JAD-201235. PMID: 33523009. ↩︎
- https://dubaipsychology.ae/interpersonal-psychotherapy-in-dubai/ ↩︎
- NHS. (n.d.). Alzheimer’s disease prevention. National Health Service. Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/prevention/ ↩︎
- Hsiao YH, Chang CH, Gean PW. Impact of social relationships on Alzheimer’s memory impairment: mechanistic studies. J Biomed Sci. 2018 Jan 11;25(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s12929-018-0404-x. PMID: 29325565; PMCID: PMC5764000. ↩︎