Understanding Alzheimer’s: What It Is, How It Progresses, and How You Can Help
- Rebecca Kruise
- Sep 1, 2025
- 3 min read
“She keeps asking the same question.”
“He’s not himself lately.”
“We thought it was just normal aging—until it wasn’t.”
September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise understanding, reduce stigma, and support the millions of individuals and families navigating this disease every day. Alzheimer’s touches far more lives than many people realize, yet misconceptions still surround it.
Whether you’re processing a new diagnosis or supporting a loved one in the later stages, early education and the right support can make a meaningful difference.
In this post, you’ll learn what Alzheimer’s is, how it progresses, and how therapy services—like speech, occupational, and physical therapy—help preserve independence and connection.
Alzheimer’s is More Than Memory Loss
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It’s a progressive brain condition that affects memory, communication, and reasoning over time. While dementia is an umbrella term, Alzheimer’s describes a specific disease process.
It usually begins with subtle memory challenges and gradually affects a person’s ability to think, speak, and function independently.
Common early signs include:
Forgetting recently learned information
Losing items and being unable to retrace steps
Struggling to recall the names of familiar people or objects
Repeating the same stories or questions
Getting lost in familiar places
Showing poor judgment or unusual decision-making
Avoiding social activities or hobbies
Displaying noticeable personality or mood changes
These changes go beyond typical aging. Alzheimer’s symptoms tend to worsen slowly, as different areas of the brain become affected. Early detection allows individuals and families to plan ahead and access the right resources.
Therapy Helps Slow Progression and Support Function
Although Alzheimer’s has no cure, therapy can help individuals stay engaged, communicate clearly, and perform everyday tasks for longer. These supports promote independence and improve quality of life—for individuals and caregivers.
Speech Therapy Supports Communication and Memory
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with individuals to:
Use memory aids, routines, and cueing systems
Preserve functional conversation skills
Maintain orientation to daily activities
Teach families how to improve communication at home
Speech therapy helps people express themselves longer and stay connected to their world.
Occupational Therapy Encourages Daily Independence
Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on making daily life safer and easier. They:
Simplify routines to reduce confusion
Teach strategies for dressing, grooming, and eating
Recommend tools like memory boards, grab bars, or adaptive utensils
Help individuals engage in meaningful hobbies, like gardening or baking
Assess home environments to reduce fall risk
OTs help people with Alzheimer’s feel confident, capable, and involved in everyday life.
Physical Therapy Maintains Mobility and Safety
Physical therapists (PTs) address strength, balance, and endurance. They:
Teach exercises to improve walking and reduce fall risk
Create movement routines to ease agitation and promote well-being
Help with safe transfers (getting out of bed or a chair)
Provide training on mobility aids
Educate caregivers on safe body mechanics
PT supports safe movement, reduces injury risk, and keeps individuals physically engaged.
Caregivers Need Support Too
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s brings both deep purpose and real emotional strain. As the disease progresses, your role may shift—and you’ll need support too.
Here’s how to make the journey more manageable:
Use short, simple instructions with calm tones and gestures
Create consistent routines to reduce confusion
Focus on strengths—what your loved one can do
Celebrate moments of joy, no matter how small
Take care of yourself: join a support group, ask for help, take regular breaks
Caregivers thrive when they feel supported. You don’t have to do this alone.
Alzheimer’s may change how someone thinks, remembers, or communicates—but it doesn’t erase who they are. With compassion, structured support, and the right therapies, individuals with Alzheimer’s can live with purpose and dignity.
If you or someone you love is facing Alzheimer’s disease, reach out. Speech, occupational, and physical therapy can provide the tools and strategies to support independence at every stage.
