KNOW
THE 10 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
BEFORE
HEADING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Early Detection Empowers Families to Plan for the Future
The holiday season is
a time families gather and spend quality time with loved ones. It is also a
time that can raise questions about the cognitive health of aging family
members. With Alzheimer’s disease in particular, it is important to know what
it is and what it is not normal aging. Below
is a list of warning signs along with examples of normal aging. If you notice any of the warning signs in
your aging family members, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends that you see
a doctor. The Association is available
24/7 for any questions regarding memory loss by calling 800.272.3900.
Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
1.
Memory loss that
disrupts daily life. One of the most
common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently
learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events;
asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides such as
reminder notes or family members for things they used to handle on one’s own.
What's
typical:
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
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.
What's
typical:
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
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.
What's
typical:
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a
television show.
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.
What's
typical:
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
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. In
terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the
room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What's
typical:
Vision changes related to cataracts.
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 may
repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the
right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch"
a "hand-clock").
What's
typical:
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
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 more frequently over time.
What's
typical:
Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
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.
What's
typical:
Making a bad decision once in a while.
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.
What's
typical: Sometimes
feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities 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.
What's
typical:
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a
routine is disrupted.
“Early
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is an important step in
getting appropriate treatment, care and support service,” said Nancy Udelson,
Executive Director, Cleveland Area Chapter.
Benefits of an early
diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
- Benefit from treatments that may
improve symptoms and help maintain a level of independence longer
- Have more time to plan for the
future
- Increase chances of successfully
finding a clinical drug trial through Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch,
helping advance research
- Participate in decisions about
their care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters
- Develop a relationship with
doctors and care partners
- Benefit from care and support
services, making it easier for them and their family to manage the disease
Anyone with questions about Alzheimer’s
disease and/or seeking information should contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s
24/7 toll-free helpline at 800.272.3900.
Experts are available to take calls from individuals concerned with
their own cognitive health as well as from family members and friends who may
be concerned about a loved one and are seeking resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment