As our parents and loved ones grow older it’s natural to wonder if a faulty memory is due to old age or dementia. Statistically one in five of us will be touched by some form of dementia. This means that someone we are close to, a friend or relative will begin to show signs of cognitive impairment. The National Alzheimer’s Association lists the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease on their website. It’s important to review them so we’ll know when a person needs to see a physician for a dementia workup.
Here they are, as listed on: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp#signs
1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2) Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4.) People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
What's a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
6) New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7)) A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places.
They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8) People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
9) A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.
They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10) A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
It’s important to note that normal aging does affect our mental capabilities to a small extent. Most elderly people are slower to respond, have slower reflexes, and have occasional word loss. Sometimes these changes are due to fatigue, medication side effects, illnesses and other problems. However, when it is obvious that the person’s memory is consistently faulty, or signs of confusion or any of the other symptoms listed above become a permanent problem, it is time for an assessment.
Next Monday: Seeing a dementia specialist: The assessment.
