Alzheimers Disease & Dementia
Trauma insurance is not always the first thing that comes to mind when discussing Alzheimers or dementia. Despite this lack of common knowledge, most life insurance companies in Australia do cover Alzheimers disease in their trauma insurance policies.
Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease or dementia results in significant cognitive impairment. A life insurance company will typically explain significant cognitive impairment as deterioration in the life insured's mental state. The condition is significantly debilitating, leaving severe sufferers unable to care for themselves.
Alzheimers disease explained
The brain is a complex signaling system much like a computer. There is information coming in, information being processed and turned into memories, and information going out. All of this is done by billions of nerve cells, each branching out and connecting with other nerve cells.
Alzheimer's disease occurs where there is permanent irreversible failure of brain function leading to significant cognitive impairment for which no other recognisable cause has been identified. This may result in a need for continual supervision to protect the sufferer or others.
Eventually, it may be necessary for those with Alzheimer's disease to have full-time care.
What are the risk factors for Alzheimers or dementia?
Risk factors for Alzheimer's are divided into two categories: well-established and probable. The factors do not predict development of the disease, they simply suggest increased risk.
Well established factors include:
- increasing age
- family history
- environmental factors
Probable factors include:
- increased use of medications for arthritis
- deficiency of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E
- head injuries that result in the loss of consciousness
- heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels that carry nutrients to the brain
Signs & symptoms of early alzheimers disease or dementia
The below list describes some alzheimer's or dementia symptoms:
- Routinely place important items in odd places
- Forget names of family and common objects
- Frequently forget entire conversations
- Can't follow recipe directions
- Can no longer manage checkbook
- Withdraw from usual interests
- Get lost in familiar places
What are the statistics for Alzheimers or dementia?
In 2008 there were an estimated 227,000 people with dementia in Australia. By 2050 the total number of people with dementia symptoms will exceed 730,000 (2.8 percent of the projected population).
Alzheimers and dementia can cause heartache and financial stress for the sufferer and family members. If you would like trauma insurance protection against alzheimers or dementia contact xLife today for your free trauma insurance quotes.
References: All figures and statistics are from Alzheimer's Australia, 2008, www.alzheimers.org.au
Source: AXA 2010
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October 2010
