A
abilities
Level at which certain actions and activities can be carried out.
acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter that appears to be involved in learning and memory. Acetylcholine is severely diminished in the brains of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
activities of daily living (ADLs)
Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting. People with dementia may not be able to perform necessary functions without assistance. Professionals often assess a person’s ADLs to determine what type of care is needed.
adult day services
Programs that provide participants with opportunities to interact with others, usually in a community center or facility. Staff lead various activities such as music programs and support groups. Transportation is often provided.
advance directives
Written documents, completed and signed when a person is legally competent, that explain a person’s medical wishes in advance, allowing someone else to make treatment decisions on his or her behalf later in the disease process.
adverse reaction
An unexpected effect of drug treatment that may be serious or life-threatening, such as an allergic reaction.
agent
The individual-usually a trusted family member or friend-authorized by a power of attorney to make legal decisions for another individual.
aggression
Hitting, pushing, or threatening behavior that commonly occurs when a caregiver attempts to help an individual with Alzheimer’s with daily activities, such as dressing. It is important to control such behavior because aggressive persons can cause injury to themselves and others.
agitation
Vocal or motor behavior (screaming, shouting, complaining, moaning, cursing, pacing, fidgeting, wandering, etc.) that is disruptive, unsafe, or interferes with the delivery of care in a particular environment. An abnormal behavior is considered agitation only if it poses risk or discomfort to the individual with Alzheimer’s or his/her caregiver. Agitation can be a nonspecific symptom of one or more physical or psychological problems (e.g., headache, depression).
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of mental functions such as memory and learning, and eventually death. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
ambulation
The ability to walk and move about freely.
anxiety
A feeling of apprehension, fear, nervousness, or dread accompanied by restlessness or tension.
apathy
Lack of interest, concern, or emotion.
aphasia
Difficulty understanding others and/or expressing oneself verbally.
assessment
An evaluation, usually performed by a physician, of a person’s mental, emotional, and social capabilities.
assisted living facility
A residential care setting that combines housing, support services, and health care for people typically in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
atrophy
Shrinking of size; often used to describe the loss of brain mass seen in Alzheimer’s disease during autopsy.
B
behavioral symptoms
In Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms that relate to action or emotion, such as wandering, depression, anxiety, hostility, and sleep disturbances.
C
caregiver
The primary person in charge of caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease, usually a family member or a designated health care professional.
care planning
A written action plan containing strategies for delivering care that address an individual’s specific needs or problems.
case management
A term used to describe formal services planned by care professionals.
chromosome
An H-shaped structure inside the cell nucleus made up of tightly coiled strands of genes. Each chromosome is numbered (in humans, 1-46). Genes on chromosome 1, 14, 19, and 21 are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
cognitive symptoms
In Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms that relate to loss of thought processes, such as learning, comprehension, memory, reasoning, and judgment.
computed tomography (CT scan)
A type of imaging scan that shows the internal structure of a person’s brain. In diagnosing dementia, CT scans can reveal tumors and small strokes in the brain.
conservator
In some states, the guardian who manages an individual’s assets.
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