Why Terminology Matters in Alzheimer’s Care

One of the biggest reasons people delay seeing a doctor—even when they’re experiencing cognitive decline—is because of the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s. Many people mistakenly believe that Alzheimer’s is a death sentence, which is not the case anymore.

We’ve also noticed that the terminology used by doctors and professionals can be confusing and too clinical. It often leaves people feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or reluctant to seek help. That’s why we set out to simplify how we communicate about Alzheimer’s disease, so patients feel more comfortable and empowered to take action.

Changing the Alzheimer’s Conversation with Simplified Language

Our approach starts by removing fear from the conversation. To reach more people and alleviate anxiety around Alzheimer’s, we knew we needed to make the language less clinical and more relatable. We focused on creating terms that are both easy to remember and effective.

One great example is how we now talk about the key biomarker for Alzheimer’s risk—Beta-Amyloid and Tau. When we explained this to patients in the past, we could see their eyes glaze over. It was simply too complex. So, we simplified it to ‘BAT Levels’.

By renaming Beta-Amyloid and Tau as ‘BAT Levels,’ we made it easier for patients to understand their Alzheimer’s risk. The higher your BAT Levels, the higher your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Making Alzheimer’s Terms More Approachable

Using the term BAT Levels allows us to compare Alzheimer’s risk to something most people understand. We explain that high BAT Levels are like having high cholesterol or high blood sugar. Just as high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, high BAT Levels increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s if left untreated.

It’s incredible how a simple change in terminology can make people feel more comfortable. By making Alzheimer’s risk factors easier to understand, we give patients the tools to take charge of their health without feeling overwhelmed by complicated medical terms.

Simplifying Alzheimer’s Conversations with BAT Terminology

We saw such success with the BAT terminology that we applied it to many areas of cognitive health to make conversations about Alzheimer’s more approachable. This shift in language has helped patients feel less intimidated by the information they receive.

At the same time, this approach has helped reduce the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease. Patients no longer feel as if they’re helpless or doomed—by making the terms easier to understand, they feel empowered to seek early diagnosis and treatment.

Wrapping Up…

In a world where Alzheimer’s disease is often met with fear and misunderstanding, simplifying the language around it can make a huge impact. Using terms like BAT Levels and comparing Alzheimer’s risk to conditions like cholesterol and diabetes can make cognitive health easier to understand and less frightening.

By removing the intimidation of complex medical terminology, we give patients the power to understand their risk and take proactive steps to manage their health.

If you or a loved one are concerned about Alzheimer’s risk, don’t let confusing terminology or fear hold you back. Talk to your healthcare provider about BAT Testing and take the first step toward better understanding your cognitive health.