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Alzheimer’s disease is incurable and typically progresses steadily over a span of 8 to 15 years, though this duration can vary from two to 25 years. Pinpointing the exact onset of the disease can be challenging. Initial symptoms, such as shortened attention span and increased forgetfulness, gradually worsen, leading to difficulty recognizing family and friends, getting lost in familiar places, and losing track of time and location.
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Individuals with Alzheimer’s can often be cared for at home with assistance. Despite cognitive and memory decline, they can still experience and express love, maintain warm relationships, and engage in activities with family and friends for a considerable period. While they may struggle with tasks like managing finances, they can still find enjoyment in reading or playing games.
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Upon diagnosis, an individual’s coping ability may hinge on their personality and the level of support in their environment. Alzheimer’s can evoke a range of emotions in caregivers, from stress and frustration to warmth and satisfaction.
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Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, treatment options exist to manage symptoms and potentially slow disease progression. Patients typically do not die directly from Alzheimer’s but from complications such as difficulty swallowing or walking, leading to infections like pneumonia.