July 8

Do You Know 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

0  comments

Do You Know 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

by Donna Brock, CMC

How many times do you hear in conversations with friends the statement: “I don’t remember that; oh well, I’m just getting older – my memory’s not what it used to be!” Do you understand the reality of that statement and that memory loss is not always a natural part of aging? Do you know the early signs and symptoms? Being informed and knowing what to watch for and when to talk with your physician about concerns will help to reduce unneeded worry and enable you to prepare for the future.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association the reality is that “in the past people believed memory loss was a normal part of aging, often regarding even Alzheimer’s as natural age-related declined. Experts now recognize severe memory loss as a symptom of serious illness.”

The Alzheimer’s Association has a list of 10 early signs and symptoms that will help have a better understanding of this disease.

  1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information; important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, increasingly needing to rely on memory aids such as notes or electronic devices.Typical age-related changes like forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later on is normal.
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. Typical age-related changes like making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook is something we all do from time to time.
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Typical age-related changes like occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show are normal when using new equipment.
  4. Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. Typical age-related changes like getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later might happen occasionally during a busy week.
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. Typical age–related changes like vision changes related to cataracts may effect driving. You should always report these types of changes with your physician.
  6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary; have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name. Typical age-related changes like sometimes having trouble finding the right words happen to everyone occasionally.
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur frequently over time. Typical age-related changes like misplacing things from time to time does not necessarily indicate Alzheimer’s when you have the ability to retrace your steps to find the lost item.
  8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers.  They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. Typical age-related changes like making a bad decision once in a while is not a symptom.
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. Typical age-related changes like sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations will cause us to avoid interactions with others occasionally.
  10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personality of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. Typical age-related changes likes developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted may be more of a personality trait.

As you review this list, and if you see yourself or family members with several of these symptoms, you should call your physician to discuss your concerns.  Early diagnosis is critical to creating a plan of care.

It is also time to consider adding an Aging Life Care Manager to your team. Aging Life Care Managers have the expertise and practical day-to-day experience to you put together a plan. Early diagnosis and planning allows the person with the diagnosis to play a vital role in their care now and in the future.

Aging Life Care Managers can also provide caregiver education to aid in providing quality care as well as help with caregiver stress and burnout.

An Aging Life Care Manager can help create and navigate the plan of care. The role of a care manager is to provide support and education to the caregiver/family to ensure individualized attention and advocacy for those living with dementia and for their caregivers.

I encourage you to understand the difference between myths and facts, to recognize the symptoms and to not be afraid to ask for support.

Insert Call to Action