Like a stroke, Alzheimer's kills brain cells. Unlike a stroke, however, Alzheimer's does not strike suddenly. And, its effects are more far-ranging. Families often engage in their own form of denial when it comes to Alzheimer's in a loved one.

The personality changes may affect different Alzheimer sufferers differently. Some may remain their old self, albeit with accompanying memory loss and orientation problems, where as others may suffer mood swings.