What Is Alzheimers

Alzheimer's (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging.

Is the most common form of dementia
Dementia is a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

It is estimated that as many as 5.4 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. In 2050, the number of people in the United States with Alzheimer's could reach 11-16 million.

Because 70 percent of the people with Alzheimer's live at home, the disease impacts millions of family members, friends and caregivers.

Gets worse over time
Alzheimer's gets worse over time and ultimately is fatal. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.