Normal memory loss due to aging does not affect or disrupt daily life. It may prove to be annoying, but should not have the abilityto make everyday life a struggle. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a checklist to help differentiate between normal age-related memory changes and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Loss of Memory
Recently learned information that is quickly forgotten is one of the most common early signs of dememtia. Ongoing forgetfulness andinability to retrieve the same information later is a sign of a problem in the brain. Normal forgetfulness would include forgetting things like appointments or names on occasion.
2. Familiar tasks are difficult
The onset of dementia often causes the victim to have difficulty planning or completing everyday tasks. They may have forgotten thesteps involved in making a phone call or creating a meal. Occassionally forgetting what you were going to say or why you came into a room are considered normal age-related memory loss.
3. Inability to remember basic language
Forgetting simple words or substituting unusual words for something that is a daily routine item or task is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.For example, forgettin what the name of a hairbrush is, and instead asking for “that thing for my hair”.
Occasionally having problems finding the right word is considered normal.
4. Locational disorientation
Gettin lost in their own neighborhood is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. It also includes forgetting how they got there or where they are…even howto get home.
Forgetting where you are going or what day of the week on occasion is considered normal.
5. Decreased or poor judgement
Some signs include dressing inappropriately for the weather, giving away large sums of money, or actions considered not good judgement calls.Normal forgetfullness might be making a questionable decision on occasion.
6. Reduction in abstract thinking ability
Signs include not being able to perform complex mental tasks, such as addition or subtraction, or even how numbers are used.
Normal age-related loss of memory might be finding it a challenge to balance a checkbook.
7. Misplacing items
Although we all misplace things, people with Alzheimer’s disease might put an iron in the oven, hairbrush in the refrigerator or any number of things.
Normal would be considered temporarily losing one’s car keys or wallet.
8.Behaviour or mood fluctuations
Rapid mood swings, such as from calm to angry, for no apparent reason, is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Occasional sadness or moodiness is considered normal.
9. Dramatic changes is personality
Dementia changes someone to the point that they might become fearful, suspicious, confused or dependent on a family member.
Normally, personalities change with age, although not that dramatically.
10. Lackluster attitude about life
Passivity, apathy, excessive sleeping, lack of desire to do usual activities…these are all signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Normal age-related behaviour might be the occasional feelings of weariness regarding work or social obligations.
In conclusion, being alert and aware of these signs can give you the advantage if your loved one is becoming afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing what to look for and what steps to take next will certainly help.
Mary
“Alzheimer’s disease” is one of the most dreaded words for the elderly. Even though cancer and heart disease are dreaded words too, Alzheimer’s is not considered fatal, as the former are. With proper care, a person with Alzheimer’s disease can live a long time. It certainly can be a challenge, though.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease needs to be taken care of all the time simply because the memory loss will often render the patient incapable of thinking and reasoning. The simplest of tasks, like brushing teeth and even using a spoon and fork are forgotten.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive and degenerative disease that affects the brain often leading to massive memory loss, not only in terms of one’s personal memories, but also one’s every day routines that are taken for granted. Patients will forget everything. Some people will also find it hard to learn new things and may even lose their language abilities. They will have difficulties in their speech and in their writing.
Because of this, caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely challenging. It is actually like caring for a newborn baby, but while a baby will slowly learn to function independently, patients with Alzheimer’s will lose what they have learned and will slowly become more and more dependent on their caregivers. Thus, it is important, even vital, to find a caregiver that is both professionally-capable and caring as they will determine the progress that the patient will have as well as their over all condition and behavior.
Here are some tips in finding a good caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient.
Choose a professional
It is good to look for a person that is already overly experienced in caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Not only will their experience come in handy when it comes to dealing with the patient’s medicines and medical routines, they will also be more patient because of prior knowledge.
Unfortunately, professionals tend to be pricey. Private nurses and caregivers are expensive enough as it is without adding the cost of a specialization. If you just cannot afford to hire someone with adequate experience, try one who has worked with the elderly and then help educate them about the basics of the disease.
Choose someone you know
There are many advantages to hiring someone you know, who you’ve seen working with patients in the past. Alzheimer’s patients will have a lot of quirks and odd behaviors that can be extremely irritating and difficult to deal with. Thus, it is important that you choose someone that you know will have a lot of patience and kindness.
If a member or members of the family can make the time to care for the patient, that is ideal. If not, you can ask for recommendations from people that you know. Chances are they know someone who can, and maybe has taken care of a patient with Alzheimer’s.
Choose someone strong
It is also important that you choose someone who can handle the often back breaking tasks that come with caring for an Alzheimer’s patient, although this shouldn’t be major issue. Remember that, because the patient is fully-dependent on the person, they will sometimes need to carry them or support them when walking.
I hope these few hints may help in your search for a kind, knowledable professional to assist you in caring for your loved one.
Mary