Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.

About two months ago, my dad called me in a panic. My grandpa had gone out for a haircut just a 5-minute walk away from home, but never came back. After a sleepless night and 14 hours of searching, they finally found him walking on a distant street. It turned out that he had walked for most of the night, heading in the exact opposite direction from home.

One month later, he didn’t remember being lost at all. 

It isn’t ordinary “forgetfulness”—what some people see as something “normal” during aging. This is a typical late-stage symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that slowly erases one’s memory and ability to live independently.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Although it primarily affects the elderly, younger people can also develop the condition. What makes it especially difficult to treat is that the disease begins silently, with brain changes starting many years before noticeable symptoms appear.

What happens in the Alzheimer’s brain?

Scientists have identified that the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s undergoes distinctive changes. Two abnormal protein buildups accumulate in the brain, known as amyloid-beta (β) plaques and tau tangles (Figure 1). Amyloid-β misfolds into plaques that aggregate in the space between nerve cells and interfere with cell-to-cell communication. Tau protein forms tangles that develop inside the cells, disrupting the transport systems that maintain brain cell health. Together, these changes damage and ultimately kill brain cells, leading to cognitive decline and behavioral changes. 

Figure 1: Abnormal protein buildups damage brain cells. 

How do Alzheimer’s symptoms progress?

As the damage spreads, symptoms will continue to develop. The progression of Alzheimer’s is typically described in three stages: mild, moderate, and severe (Figure 2). However, the transitions between stages are not always clear-cut, and it may be challenging to categorize a person with the disease into a specific stage. 

In the mild stage, people may experience forgetfulness, misplacing items, or struggling to find words. As the disease progresses to the moderate stage, symptoms become more pronounced. Individuals may become confused about time and place, forget the names of family members, and struggle with tasks like dressing or cooking. In the severe stage, they may lose the ability to communicate, recognize loved ones, or perform basic functions like eating or walking.

Figure 2: Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. For more information, see Stages of Alzheimer’s.

My grandpa’s current condition seems to fall between the moderate and severe stages. He still remembers familiar faces, but he no longer recalls the event of being lost. My grandma is worried about his safety, so she tries to accompany him everywhere, even on short walks. But from his perspective, this feels unnecessary and patronizing, as he doesn’t remember getting lost in the first place. And how could he believe something he has no memory of? In many ways, our sense of reality is built on what we remember.

How do doctors diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s?

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s has come a long way. In the past, confirmation of the disease could only be made postmortem, by examining the brain for plaques and tangles. Clinicians can now identify signs of Alzheimer’s during a person’s lifetime by detecting signs (biomarkers) of amyloid and tau accumulation (Alzheimer’s Disease – Mayo Clinic). These modern tests include PET scans that image the brain, as well as tests of cerebrospinal fluid. For a long time, blood tests were used primarily to rule out other conditions. In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, offering a less invasive and more accessible option for early detection.

Even with improved diagnostic tools, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Current treatments cannot stop or reverse the damage caused by the disease, but they can help manage symptoms or slow down the progression. Drugs like donepezil and memantine work by enhancing communication between nerve cells or protecting the brain’s chemical balance. More recently, a new class of drugs has emerged, targeting the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. For example, lecanemab (approved by the FDA in 2023, but under review in Canada as of July 2025) is an antibody-based drug designed to clear amyloid plaques from the brain. Donanemab, another FDA-approved medication under review by Health Canada, is also intended to bind to amyloid plaques and aid in their clearance.

Meanwhile, researchers around the world are exploring effective treatments with novel mechanisms, including tau-blocking antibodies, anti-inflammatory compounds, metabolic boosters, and even gene-editing or stem cell approaches. Lifestyle interventions are also gaining attention, as studies suggest that physical activity, diet, sleep quality, and cardiovascular health all influence the risk and progression of dementia. 

You are not alone

Alzheimer’s is a personal and emotional journey for people experiencing it and the loved ones who care for them. If your family is facing a situation similar to my family’s, you are not alone. There are resources available through organizations like the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer’s Association (U.S.), and other international associations that offer support, education, and community.

Living far from my grandparents, I feel the distance more acutely as my grandpa’s condition worsens. I cannot be there to guide him home or reassure my grandma when she feels overwhelmed. However, I will continue to follow the science in Alzheimer’s research. Behind every clinical trial and scientific discovery, there are real families, like mine, waiting for answers.

Disclaimer: This information is educational in nature and does not constitute medical advice. If you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s or any other mental health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.