Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Home Care in Wilmette IL: Early Signs of Alzheimer’s
One of the things that people may worry about as their parents grow older is the possibility of them having Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Some forgetfulness naturally occurs as people get older—you might call them “senior moments.” Your parent might forget the name of someone they recently met, but then remember it later. That kind of memory loss is generally nothing to worry about. However, if your parent’s memory lapses are affecting their life, it’s time to see a doctor and have them evaluated for AD. There’s no cure, but early detection means earlier treatment and more time to plan for the future, including making decisions about home care and end of life arrangements. If you’re concerned about the possibility of your senior loved one having AD, here are some signs that may appear earlier than others.
Problems Doing Routine Tasks.
People with AD may have problems doing things they once did on a daily basis with ease. For example, if your parent has always taken care of balancing the checkbook, but suddenly they aren’t sure what to do, there’s cause for concern.
Worrying About Memory Loss.
Studies have shown that the brains of people who worry about their lapses in memory or problems with thinking are more likely to have begun developing the amyloid plaques associated with AD. If your parent expresses concern to you or to a home care provider about their memory or cognitive abilities, scheduling an appointment can either relieve their fears or allow for early treatment.
Changes in the Way They See.
Sometimes the early stages of AD are accompanied by vision changes, but not the types of changes that you might normally see when a person has cataracts or other types of age-related vision problems. With AD, your parent may have trouble reading or distinguishing contrast or colors. They may also have difficulty with spatial recognition so that they cannot determine how far or close something is.
Confusion about Place or Time.
AD causes some people to lose track of time so that they may not know what season it is or the date. They may also have trouble understanding where they are or how they arrived at a place.
Avoiding Social Situations.
When a person first starts to experience signs of AD, they may avoid going to social events out of embarrassment or fear that they may make an error. They may also stop engaging in some of their favorite hobbies because they have trouble doing them.
Getting Lost.
You’ve probably heard about people with AD or dementia wandering and getting lost. Perhaps you’ve even seen silver alerts on the news. Getting lost is an early sign of AD. If your parent becomes confused and disoriented while driving to a place they are familiar with, such as to the grocery store, schedule a doctor’s appointment.
Having an occasional problem remembering something or making a mistake on a date is probably nothing to worry about. However, if your parent is exhibiting the signs above and their memory problems are affecting their lives, it’s important that they see a doctor. If your parent is diagnosed with AD, a home care provider can help them to remain safely at home longer. A home care provider can assist them with daily tasks that have become difficult and help keep them safe when memory issues and judgement lapses occur.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
Sources
https://www.alz.org/10-signs-symptoms-alzheimers-dementia.asp
https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/early-signs-of-alzheimers/
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