Feeling forgetful or confused? Finding out what is wrong is the first step to getting help.
In this section, we offer help sheets on every topic, issue, and concern relating to dementia that you might need support on.
Driving is something most people take for granted. It gives us freedom, flexibility and independence. While we will all need to step out from behind the wheel one day, conditions such as dementia can mean that the decision to stop driving needs to be planned for.
Alzheimer's Australia has a wealth for information for health professionals.
Alzheimer's Australia provides a range of sensitive and flexible services to support people with any type of dementia, their families and carers throughout the illness.
Alzheimer's Australia provides a wide range of courses for people with dementia and their carers and nationally recognised courses for health and aged care personnel.
Alzheimer’s Australia is committed to contributing towards Australian dementia research.
Your help and support is vital to Alzheimer's Australia. Read more about donations.
Find an event near you.
A dementia-friendly community is a place where people living with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with meaning, purpose and value. For people with younger onset dementia, this also means being given the opportunity and support to stay at work or volunteer.
Dementia Awareness Month is held annually in September. Stay tuned for an update on Dementia Awareness Month 2015 which will be coming soon.
This page explains what is currently known about this link, and discusses the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome and some information about where to find additional support.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when, due to a biological error at the time of conception, a person has 3 copies of chromosome 21 in every cell body instead of the usual pair, so upsetting the gene balance. This extra gene material causes a collection of characteristics which can result in some degree of developmental delay and some common physical traits.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical condition that affects the brain, resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 50% - 70% of all cases.
Studies show that by the age of 40, almost 100% of people with Down syndrome who die have the changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is the abnormal breakdown that yields the toxic amyloid protein that forms plaques in the brain and probably damages brain cells and their connections, is coded for chromosome 21. Because people with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, they make 1.5 times as much APP as other people, and this seems to result in an excess tendency for the abnormal amyloid breakdown product to build up. This appears to cause earlier appearance of the brain changes typical of Alzheimer’s disease. However, a significant number of people with Down syndrome are older than 40 and show no signs of having Alzheimer’s disease. It is not currently understood why changes to the brain that are typical of Alzheimer’s disease do not necessarily produce the condition in people with Down syndrome.
Making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult when the person has Down syndrome for a number of reasons:
Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Making the diagnosis in a person with Down syndrome is usually based on excluding other possible causes of symptoms.
Reports from family and carers about the person’s medical history can help to separate pre-existing disabilities from the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
At present there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However some medications and alternative treatments have been found to reduce symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigamine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl) can be helpful treatments in some patients with Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs though have not been systematically studied in individuals who have Down syndrome.
Drugs can be prescribed for secondary symptoms such as restlessness or to help the person sleep better.
Activities may need to be modified to take into account the person’s deteriorating memory. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease may develop behaviours that cause concern to families and carers. The principles of managing these behaviours are different from those which families and carers may be accustomed to, so specialised advice should always be sought about any changed behaviours.
Support services are available for the person with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, their family and carers. This support can make a difference to managing these conditions. Many people with Down syndrome live in a residential setting and Alzheimer’s Australia can assist residential service providers to understand and manage the changes produced by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Australia provides support, information, education and counselling for people affected by dementia, including up todate information about drug treatments and research into dementia.
Remember families, friends and carers continue to play an important part in the lives of people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. They provide valuable links to past experiences, and enable the person to continue to be a loved and valued member of a family and circle of friends.
This information was developed in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Association of Victoria.
The Down Syndrome Association is a nonprofit, self-help group established to bring people of like needs together, provide understanding support, information, resources and encouragement to people with Down syndrome and their families and to promote in every way possible improvements in the life of people with Down syndrome. It is a well used community resource and shares information and resources with other people and services.
NSW VIC SA QLD WA
For a range of books and videos contact our Library. Also see our section on Help Sheets and Update Sheets.
© Alzheimer's Australia 2005
Alzheimer's Australia is responsible for the content of this Help Sheet. This publication provides a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about their specific case. Alzheimer's Australia is not liable for any error or omission in this publication.