Many people experience memory loss as they get older. This memory loss tends to increase with age, but there is a big difference between normal forgetfulness and Alzheimer's disease. There are three things to know about Alzheimer's: the facts and figures, the seven stages, and changes in the brain. First of all, what is Alzheimer's? According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It is the most common form of dementia; a group of brain disorders that result in the loss of intellectual and social abilities ("Alzheimer's disease"). It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death for people age 65 and older (“Alzheimer's Disease Facts & Figures 2013”). One in three seniors dies from Alzheimer's or another dementia, and more than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease ("Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures 2013"). Next, someone may need to know the seven different stages of the disease and how it affects the patient. In ...