Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia in older people, is characterized by confusion, memory loss, deteriorating language skills, and impaired judgment. Named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer (a German physician), this disease affects an estimated 5 percent of people ages 65 to 74. The older a person gets, the more likely he or she is to develop Alzheimer's. The disease eventually destroys a person's thinking process, personality, and ability to function. While age appears to be the most important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, research scientists are also studying the role of genetics in the disease's development. After being diagnosed, people with Alzheimer's disease typically live for an average of 8 to 10 years.