MANY BABY BOOMERS WORRIED THEY HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

All Memory Losses Are Not Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias

Is it normal that as people get older they forget things? Absolutely!
The experts know that mild memory loss is perfectly normal, and it doesn’t mean you have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
How many of us have misplaced our keys, searched aisle after aisle at the mall to find our car, or we’ve been unable to recall the name of a person we’ve met. You may have gone into a room in your home and been unable to remember why you went there, or you double check to see that you really did turn off the stove or lock the front door. Maybe, you have forgotten an appointment or a family event.
“As we age, virtually all of us have some annoying memory lapses, or we may sometimes have trouble finding the right word when we’re talking. For many people as they age, it takes a bit longer to learn something new or to make a decision. These things are considered part of normal aging. Our brains are aging, but we are still functioning well,” says Bob Tucker, a qualified dementia care provider (QDCP) and co-owner of the Senior Helpers office serving the north and northwest suburbs. “Many of you have probably gotten a glitch in your memory where you can’t recall a word, the title of a book you just read or the star in the movie you’ve just seen. This doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s.”

So, how do you know if what you’re experiencing might be abnormal?
“A memory problem may be serious and should be investigated if it is beginning to interfere with your daily living,” says Abbie Tucker senior advocate and client services director, certified senior advisor (CSA), a qualified dementia care provider (QDCP) and co-owner of the local Senior Helpers office. “But, also keep in mind that the problems described below can be the result of several factors, and may not be related to Alzheimer’s Disease or other form of dementias at all.”

Here are some signs to watch for in determining whether you or your loved one should be evaluated by a doctor.

❑ Forgetting recently learned information.
This can be one of the more common signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Your loved one begins to forget more things and can’t recall the information later. Short-term memory loss is often the first thing noticed with dementia.
❑ Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
Your loved one may forget the steps necessary to prepare a meal, turn on the washing machine, place a phone call or play a familiar card game.
❑ Problems remembering simple words.
You notice your loved one is forgetting simple words, especially nouns, substituting words that don’t belong in the sentence or having difficulty asking for an object such as a pen or toothbrush.
❑ Getting lost or disoriented in familiar places.
Your loved one is getting lost in their apartment complex or condo building and can’t remember which floor they live on, or getting lost in their neighborhood and can’t find their way home.
❑ Having difficulty following directions.
Many people who have Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty following directions. They drive, but can’t remember where they are supposed to go or how to get there.
❑ Exhibiting poor or decreased judgement.
Your loved one may start dressing inappropriately. When the day is warm, they may be wearing several layers of clothing or wearing little clothing when it’s cold. They may also lose good judgement about handling money, forget how to write a check or they give too much money to charity or to total strangers.
❑ Shows a weakness in abstract thinking.
Numbers may become confusing, and they don’t know how they are supposed to be used. They no longer can perform complex tasks at home or at their volunteer organization or job. They find their car keys, but they don’t remember what to do with them (take those keys away!).
❑ Continually misplacing things.
Your loved one may not put items back where they belong, or intentionally hide them so it’s difficult to find them. They could put their watch in the freezer or their cell phone in the oven-and may think people are stealing from them.
❑ A change in their mood.
Your loved one may-for no reason at all-have major, dramatic mood swings. They can go from happiness to tears, from anger to aggression to depression all within a short period of time.
❑ A change in their behavior.
Your loved one may become fearful, confused or overly dependent upon you. They may act or say things that are inappropriate.

This Senior Helpers location is the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) affiliate office for the entire Chicago area. They offer free Memory Screenings and have a Dementia Resource Center that is complete with books, DVDs, magazines and articles to help educate the community. If you would like more information on dementia or the support available to people in need, call 847-564-7500, go to www.seniorhelpers.com or email Bob Tucker directly at rtucker@seniorhelpers.com.