Know the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Apr 10, 2018
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Behavioral issues often alarm families of the possibility of an Alzheimers diagnosis. However, the earliest signs of the disease often get misconstrued as memory loss that comes with age. These diagnoses are not a normal part of aging and it is vital to consult a doctor if a person shows early signs of memory loss. Alzheimers disease robs people of their memories, judgment, independence and eventually their life. Early detection of this disease can be beneficial not only for the person diagnosed, but for the family and caregiver as well. People who are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease are better able to report their symptoms and issues and gain an understanding as Alzheimers progresses giving them the opportunity to plan in advance.
The Alzheimers Association states there are 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers disease, which every individual may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree.
1) Memory changes that disrupt daily life, especially forgetting recently learning information and asking for the same information over and over again.
2) Challenges in planning or solving problems. This could mean difficulty with a familiar recipe or a hard time keeping track of bills.
3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks, like driving to known places.
4) Confusion with time or place. This includes losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.
5)Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. You would see this sign in someone who is having difficulty reading, trouble judging distance and problems determining color or contrast.
6) New problems with words in speaking or writing. This could mean problems following or joining a conversation, difficulty tracking conversations; stopping in the middle of a thought or repeating oneself; or trouble with vocabulary.
7) Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. This may mean putting things in unusual places, like a wallet in a fruit bowl, having increasing difficulty finding a missing item or even accusing others of stealing.
8) Poor judgment. Someone exhibiting this sign may make poor decisions with money - spending more impulsively or wearing clothes that dont match the weather or season.
9) Withdrawal from work or social activities. It may be that the person is closing him or herself off from hobbies, social activities, work projects or family gatherings.
10) A change in mood and personality. Loved ones should look for increasing signs of confusion, suspicion, fear, anxiety and agitation.
If a loved one is showing one of these signs, see a doctor and get the right treatment as soon as possible. For more facts and figured about this fatal disease, please visit alz.org
Editors Note: How to get in touch: The Alzheimers Association Illinois Chapter serves 87 counties across Illinois. 24/7 helpline: 800.272.3900. The chapter offers education programs and support groups throughout the state as well as Care Navigation, which involves a series of appointments with a licensed social worker who is specifically trained in issues related to memory loss. For more information about Alzheimers disease and services, go toalz.org/Illinois
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