Top 10 myths about Alzheimer’s disease

The more we understand, the better support and care we can offer. We debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease.

Many of us learn about Alzheimer’s disease the hard way: when it affects someone we love. It may be one of the most feared diseases as we age, but that shouldn’t stop us from seeking to understand it. The more we know, the better able we will be to spot the warning signs and offer care and support to people who need it most.
Unfortunately, some of what we do know comes from dubious sources like conflicting news and portrayals in movies and TV. Beware of these common myths:

It’s just a normal part of aging

People used to believe “going senile” was just part of growing old — but symptoms are caused by a disease process, not the normal age-related changes we all experience. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease involving physical changes to the brain — the like the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles and nerve cells losing contact with each other or dying.
The disease is progressive and irreversible — but it isn’t inevitable as we age. In fact, experts say most people don’t develop it.

Memory loss means Alzheimer’s

We all forget or misplace things from time to time, but occasional forgetfulness doesn’t mean disease. Alzheimer’s involves more frequent forgetting — and not being able to recall those forgotten details later on. Difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with communication, disorientation, poor judgment and problems with abstract thinking are also hallmarks of the disease. 


If you’ve noticed some of these symptoms, don’t panic! Sometimes they stem from a treatable cause like an infection, drug interaction, depression, head injury or another health condition like multiple sclerosis.


It’s also important to remember that Alzheimer’s is just one of 70 causes of dementia (an umbrella term for memory loss due to changes in the brain). Not everyone who has dementia has Alzheimer’s — it can also be part of Parkinson’s disease or the result of a stroke, for example.

Your relatives have it, so you’ll develop it too

Genes do play a role in our chances of developing the disease, but not as big a role as you might think. Only a small number of cases — about 5-7 per cent — are an inherited form of the disease known as Familial Alzheimer’s disease (often referred to as “early onset”). While the disease itself is the same as the more common Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease or “late onset” form, the difference lies in a set of mutated genes that can be passed from one generation to the next. If one of your parents carries the mutation, you have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it. If you inherit the genes, experts say you’re likely to develop the disease.

What about the sporadic form? If you have a parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s disease, you have a three times greater risk than someone who doesn’t have a family history. New research suggests that certain genes (such as the apolipoprotein E gene) can influence the development of the disease — but there’s more to the story than what you inherit. Experts note genes themselves don’t cause the disease, and people who don’t have the genes can still develop Alzheimer’s while people who have the genes will stay disease-free.

Alzheimer’s disease only affects “old people”

True, our risk for Alzheimer’s disease increases as we age: the majority of cases show up after age 60, and the risk for developing the disease doubles every five years after 65. Some sources claim that by age 85 about half of all people have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
However, that doesn’t mean people under age 60 can’t be affected too. Alzheimer’s disease can appear in the 40s and 50s as well, and some rare cases have shown in patients who are even younger. Worse yet, experts aren’t really sure when the disease starts to develop. Research suggests Alzheimer’s disease is already in the advanced stages by the time symptoms become evident — and that presents a formidable challenge for early diagnosis and treatment.

It isn’t fatal

What happens in our brains affects the rest of the body too. In the later stages of the disease, the body’s systems start to shut down which can affect breathing, blood pressure, the skin and the senses. Sufferers may experience increased sleepiness, pain and discomfort — and an infection or pneumonia can set in.
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are one of the top 10 causes of death in developed countries. In 2007 (the latest year for which data is available), it was the 7th leading cause of death in Canada and ranked 6th in the United States. Alzheimer’s kills more people than kidney disease and infections like influenza or pneumonia.

Alzheimer’s disease is preventable

We hear a lot of advice about keeping our brains healthy, but so far there isn’t a treatment or strategy guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Research into the effectiveness of therapies like vitamins E, B, C and D, gingko biloba, folate and selenium is ongoing — and often conflicting.
However, experts report more evidence shows lifestyle strategies can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and nuts.
- Challenging your brain with puzzles, hobbies and learning.
- Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check.
- Avoiding brain injuries.
- Staying active socially.
- Exercising regularly.
- Avoiding vices like smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse.
Sound familiar? These strategies are beneficial for overall health — especially cardiovascular health, which may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have a parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s disease, you have a three times greater risk than someone who doesn’t have a family history. New research suggests that certain genes (such as the apolipoprotein E gene) can influence the development of the disease — but there’s more to the story than what you inherit. Experts note genes themselves don’t cause the disease, and people who don’t have the genes can still develop Alzheimer’s while people who have the genes will stay disease-free.

Alzheimer’s disease only affects “old people”

True, our risk for Alzheimer’s disease increases as we age: the majority of cases show up after age 60, and the risk for developing the disease doubles every five years after 65. Some sources claim that by age 85 about half of all people have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.


However, that doesn’t mean people under age 60 can’t be affected too. Alzheimer’s disease can appear in the 40s and 50s as well, and some rare cases have shown in patients who are even younger. Worse yet, experts aren’t really sure when the disease starts to develop. Research suggests Alzheimer’s disease is already in the advanced stages by the time symptoms become evident — and that presents a formidable challenge for early diagnosis and treatment.

It isn’t fatal

What happens in our brains affects the rest of the body too. In the later stages of the disease, the body’s systems start to shut down which can affect breathing, blood pressure, the skin and the senses. Sufferers may experience increased sleepiness, pain and discomfort — and an infection or pneumonia can set in.


Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are one of the top 10 causes of death in developed countries. In 2007 (the latest year for which data is available), it was the 7th leading cause of death in Canada and ranked 6th in the United States. Alzheimer’s kills more people than kidney disease and infections like influenza or pneumonia.

Alzheimer’s disease is preventable

We hear a lot of advice about keeping our brains healthy, but so far there isn’t a treatment or strategy guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Research into the effectiveness of therapies like vitamins E, B, C and D, gingko biloba, folate and selenium is ongoing — and often conflicting.


However, experts report more evidence shows lifestyle strategies can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and nuts.


- Challenging your brain with puzzles, hobbies and learning.
- Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check.
- Avoiding brain injuries.
- Staying active socially.
- Exercising regularly.
- Avoiding vices like smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse.


Sound familiar? These strategies are beneficial for overall health — especially cardiovascular health, which may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Aluminum causes Alzheimer’s

Should you throw out your old pots and pans and avoid other products containing aluminum? Not so fast, say experts. While there has been a lot of research into the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease, the only thing researchers can agree on is there isn’t enough evidence to prove aluminum is a cause.


Some studies do show a connection — but many studies show there is no link. Furthermore, researchers haven’t seen a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s among people who’ve been exposed to aluminum at their jobs or in cultures that regularly drink tea. (Aluminum can accumulate in the leaves.)


What about aspartame, flu shots and silver dental fillings? They’ve been suspects as well, but there is no solid evidence to put the blame on them either.

All people who have Alzheimer’s disease become violent and aggressive

It can be hard to know what to expect dealing with Alzheimer’s disease because it affects everyone a little differently. While it can cause personality changes, experts note that not everyone becomes aggressive or violent. Other common behaviours can include wandering, restlessness, suspicion and repeated actions.


Still, coping with memory loss and confusion can be frightening and frustrating for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Loved ones can help by learning some key strategies. For example, adapting a person’s surroundings, maintaining a consistent routine and learning how to communicate more effectively can help prevent emotional responses.  (The Alzheimer’s Society has a list of behaviours and strategies to help.)

People with Alzheimer’s disease cannot understand what is going on around them

Symptoms can be deceiving — even though people can’t communicate well and get confused, that doesn’t mean they aren’t aware of what’s going on around them. Emotions and feelings are still very much present even though memory and abilities are changing, warn experts. Everyone needs social connection and belonging, a sense of independence and joy. Even in the late stages of the disease, people respond to touch and find comfort in soothing voices and music.


Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity regardless of their health. That can be reflected in the little things — like how you help a person change their clothes or use the bathroom, or by not talking about them as if they weren’t in the room.

There’s no hope

A diagnosis can be devastating — especially when there currently isn’t a cure or an effective treatment. However, there is hope on the horizon as researchers find better ways to detect the disease, test new treatments and even develop a vaccine. Experts continue to learn more about Alzheimer’s, even if progress seems slow.


In the meantime, there are treatments to help manage symptoms and strategies that can improve quality of life. A diagnosis doesn’t mean a sudden loss of independence and health — experts note it’s important to focus on what people can do. If you or someone you know is affected, talk to your doctor and reach out to resources in your community for help.


ON THE WEB
There is a wealth of information available about Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few good places to start:
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Alzheimer’s Association (US)
Alzheimer’s Society (UK)