Which statement about Alzheimer's disease is true?

Which statement about Alzheimer's disease is true?

• A. Alzheimer's is a normal part of aging
• B. Skills used over a lifetime are usually kept longer
• C. Caregivers should do everything for residents with AD
• D. Residents will recover with time

Answer: (B)

In Alzheimer's disease, long-established, practiced skills tend to stay functional longer than new learning or recent memories. That’s why the statement that skills used over a lifetime are usually kept longer is the best choice: familiar routines and procedural abilities—things learned and repeated over years—often remain intact longer, especially with prompts and support. This aligns with how caregivers should approach care: support independence by guiding and cueing for familiar tasks rather than doing everything for the person. It also helps explain why residents can still perform routine activities with reminders, even as other abilities decline. Alzheimer's is not just normal aging, and there are no real expectations of recovery or reversal of symptoms—the condition typically progresses over time.

In Alzheimer's disease, long-established, practiced skills tend to stay functional longer than new learning or recent memories. That’s why the statement that skills used over a lifetime are usually kept longer is the best choice: familiar routines and procedural abilities—things learned and repeated over years—often remain intact longer, especially with prompts and support.

This aligns with how caregivers should approach care: support independence by guiding and cueing for familiar tasks rather than doing everything for the person. It also helps explain why residents can still perform routine activities with reminders, even as other abilities decline.

Alzheimer's is not just normal aging, and there are no real expectations of recovery or reversal of symptoms—the condition typically progresses over time.