2. U.S. Census data notes that the number of Americans age 65 and over will double by 2025

3. Utah will see a 127% increase in Alzheimer's disease, Alaska hundred and 26% increase, the Colorado will see 124% increase.

4. Only the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will not see an increase in Alzheimer's disease.

5. Close to 7.7 million people are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease by the year 2025.

Source Rating: 3. At dependable source for information on increases of Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Alzheimer's Association. Facts About Genes and Alzheimer's disease. 09 November 2004. http://www.alz.org/grtrcinc/aaWhatGeneticTesting.htm

Type of information: A great overview of Alzheimer's disease and genetics. This article includes information on familial and sporadic Alzheimer's, genes, genetic testing, and a section on additional resources.

Specific Detail: 1. Family history is a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease.

2. Genes are made up of DNA, and are the instructions that determine the body's composition.

3. Familial Alzheimer's Disease is caused by genetic disorders.

4. Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease is not caused by genes, but genes may play a role in the change that someone will get Alzheimer's.

5. A gene mutation in the APEO gene (APOE-e4) is the best-studied gene linked to Alzheimer's.

Source Rating: 4. This is a good overview of Alzheimer's and genetics.

Source: Bennett, David a. Alzheimer's Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers. Hunter House, 2003.

Type of information:

Bennett's book is aimed at caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease. It provides valuable and accurate information on the disease, and tips for caregivers on how to deal with those with Alzheimer's.

Specific Detail: 1. We should not resign ourselves to mental and physical decline seen simply as a symptom of old age.

2. Often, reports of absent-mindedness in older people are exaggerated.

3. A mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is simply a mild decline in brain functions like concentration, orientation, and memory.

4. A mild cognitive impairment can be one of the first early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

5. Alzheimer's can dramatically impact family relationships.

Source Rating: 4. A great resource for individuals whose family members are entering the first stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Mace, Nancy L., and Rabins, Peter V. The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons With Alzheimer Disease Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life. Warner Books, 2001.

Type of information: This book gives a thorough review of the personal impact of Alzheimer's Disease.

Specific Detail: 1. Dementia can include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or other diseases or conditions.

2. Dementia includes loss of intellectual ability, and changes in personality and mood.

3. One of the most important steps in treating some of a dementia is getting a competent medical evaluation.

4. Personality and mood changes in dementia stem from physical changes in the brain.

5. Alzheimer's can often result in a loss of independence, including job loss, loss of the ability to live alone, loss of the ability to drive, and loss of the ability to manage money.

Source Rating: 3. Limited medical information, but a great resource in helping understand an individual with Alzheimer's.

Source: Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer's Disease. 09 November 2004. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=B07C9803-F749-40F5-BFA9B3F14D1E94D0&dsection=1

Type of information: This Website contains a large amount of information on a number of diverse topics related to Alzheimer's disease. A comprehensive overview of the subject is given, as well as resources on care giving needs, complimentary medicine, managing...

Alzheimer's usually develops in those over 65 years of age.
2. Complimentary medicines like Vitamin E and aromatherapy can be used in Alzheimer's Disease treatment.

3. Risk factors include heredity, age, environment, head injury, degree of mental activity, hormone replacement therapy, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

4. Repetitive behaviors in Alzheimer's patients (like repeatedly folding and stacking items) can give Alzheimer's patients a sense of purpose and achievement.

5. Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's is often stressful and overwhelming.

Source Rating: 5. An excellent and comprehensive site.

Source: Shankle, William Rodman, and Amen, Daniel G. Preventing Alzheimer's: Ways to Prevent, Delay or Halt Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Memory Loss G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004.

Type of information: This book provides a good overview of concrete steps can be taken to reduce the risk of dementia, and Alzheimer's disease in particular.

Specific Detail: 1. Annual memory screening for individuals over 50 can increase early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

2. Alzheimer's is best treated through early intervention and prevention.

3. The Shankle-Amen Early Dementia Detection Questionnaire can help diagnose of Alzheimer's at an early stage.

4. MCI (mild cognitive impairment) is often the first sign of Alzheimer's Disease.

5. Alzheimer's can be treated through over-the-counter treatments like vitamin E

Source Rating: 3. A great resource for the prevention of Alzheimer's, but not the best medical resource or overview.

Source: Seroksa, Judith. Seminar. Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, October 2004.

Type of information: A general overview of Alzheimer's disease, presented in lecture format.

Specific Detail: 1. Alzheimer's disease is a disorder of the brain.

2. Alzheimer's primarily affects older individuals.

3. The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known.

4. Symptoms of Alzheimer's include confusion, changes in personality and mood, memory loss, disorientation, and trouble learning.

5. Genetics may account for a proportion of those with Alzheimer's disease.

Source Rating: 4. This seminar provided an excellent general overview of the topic of Alzheimer's disease.

Works Cited

Alzheimer's Association. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE and RELATED DEMENTIAS FACT SHEET. 09 November 2004. http://www.alz.org/Resources/FactSheets/factrelateddisorder.pdf

Alzheimer's Association. Facts About Genes and Alzheimer's disease. 09 November 2004. http://www.alz.org/grtrcinc/aaWhatGeneticTesting.htm

Alzheimer's Association. Fact Sheet, 2004. Alzheimer's Disease growth: The U.S. will see average 44% increase in Alzheimer's disease by 2025.

Bennett, David a. Alzheimer's Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers. Hunter House, 2003.

Mace, Nancy L., and Rabins, Peter V. The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons With Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life. Warner Books, 2001.

Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer's Disease. 09 November 2004. http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=B07C9803-F749-40F5-BFA9B3F14D1E94D0&dsection=1

National Institutes of Health. Unraveling the Mystery. 09 November 2004. http://www.alzheimers.org/unraveling/unraveling.pdf

Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis. The Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2004. http://olpa.od.nih.gov/legislation/108/pendinglegislation/reagonalzheimer.asp

Seroksa, Judith. Seminar. Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, October 2004.

Shankle, William Rodman, and Amen, Daniel G. Preventing Alzheimer's: Ways to Prevent, Delay or Halt Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Memory Loss G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004.