Learn About Alzheimer's Disease

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 appointmentsor 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.

Darlene