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Alzheimer’s diseaseis a brain disorder that affects the person’s memory, thinking, and behavior.“This condition affect the person’s ability to perform daily tasks. It tends to start with more complex tasks, but eventually affects more simple ones as well,” saysRichard Marottoli, MD, MPH, a geriatrician at Yale Medicine who specializes in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

For approximately 5% of patients, thesymptomsfirst start to appear between the ages of 30 and 60, which is referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.However, for most people, the symptoms start to appear in the mid-60s or thereafter, which is referred to as late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, you’re not alone. Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease affects over 50% of adults over the age of 85, making it the most commonneurodegenerative disorderin older adults.

This article explores some strategies that can help youcopewith late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, as well as some tips that may be helpful for caregivers.

Coping Physically

Fortunately, physical symptoms are relatively uncommon in Alzheimer’s disease; however, you may start to have difficulty maintaining your balance, and may require increasing assistance with self-care tasks, Dr. Marottoli explains.

Dr. Marottoli suggests some strategies that can help you cope physically:

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Coping Emotionally

Below, Dr. Marottoli suggests some strategies that can help you cope emotionally:

Richard Marottoli, MD, MPHCoping emotionally can be more difficult than coping physically. Frustration is common, as are depression and anxiety.

Richard Marottoli, MD, MPH

Coping emotionally can be more difficult than coping physically. Frustration is common, as are depression and anxiety.

Resources & OrganizationsDr. Marottoli shares some organizations and resources that may be helpful:Alzheimer’s AssociationAlzheimer’s Foundation of AmericaArea Agencies on AgingNational Academy of Elder Law AttorneysVisiting Nurse Association

Resources & Organizations

Dr. Marottoli shares some organizations and resources that may be helpful:Alzheimer’s AssociationAlzheimer’s Foundation of AmericaArea Agencies on AgingNational Academy of Elder Law AttorneysVisiting Nurse Association

Dr. Marottoli shares some organizations and resources that may be helpful:

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Caregiving & Helping Others

If you arecaring forsomeone with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Marottoli suggests some tips that may be helpful:

Richard Marottoli, MD, MPHPay attention to your own mental and physical health as the caregiver is often the linchpin—if your health fails, everything falls apart.

Pay attention to your own mental and physical health as the caregiver is often the linchpin—if your health fails, everything falls apart.

A Word From Verywell

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult to cope with because it’s aterminal illnessthat causes you to slowly lose your mental faculties and physical abilities. Moreover, it also means losing your sense of personal agency and feeling dependent on others.

If you’re having difficulty accepting the diagnosis or adjusting to the changes to your life, it may be helpful to see a mental healthcare provider to help you cope with the frustration, depression, or anxiety you’re experiencing. Friends, family members, and support groups can also be valuable sources of support.

The Emotional Toll of Caring For a Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Alzheimer’s Association.What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Awada AA.Early and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease: What are the differences?J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2015;6(3):455-456. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.154581

National Institute on Aging.What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s Association.Taking care of yourself.

Berti V, Walters M, Sterling J, et al.Mediterranean diet and 3-year Alzheimer brain biomarker changes in middle-aged adults.Neurology. 2018;90(20):e1789-e1798. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000005527

National Institute on Aging.Alzheimer’s disease: Common medical problems

Hagger-Johnson G, Sabia S, Brunner EJ, et al.Combined impact of smoking and heavy alcohol use on cognitive decline in early old age: Whitehall II prospective cohort study.Br J Psychiatry. 2013;203(2):120-125. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.122960

National Institute on Aging.Managing personality and behavior changes in Alzheimer’s.

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