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Alzheimer's disease

Date: May 2011

Definition:

A definite diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by a Consultant Neurologist, Psychiatrist or Geriatrician. There must be permanent clinical loss of the ability to do all of the following:

  • remember;
  • reason; and
  • perceive, understand, express and give effect to ideas.

For the above definition, the following is not covered:

  • other types of dementia (these are covered under the dementia definition).

 

What does this mean?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and degenerative disease. The nerve cells in the brain deteriorate and the brain shrinks. The symptoms can include a severe loss of memory and concentration but there is an overall decline in all mental faculties.

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