Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that will slowly reduce a person’s ability to remember, reason, and think clearly. For many, it is a slowly progressing disease that begins with minor brain disruptions that may make certain activities and tasks more difficult for the person to complete.
Five Early Signs of Alzheimer’s (with five signs that are not signs of Alzheimer’s disease)
Struggling to Complete Everyday Tasks
A person with early signs of Alzheimer’s may start to find it more challenging to complete daily tasks that used to be mundane and done without a lot of thought. They might struggle with following a simple recipe, paying the monthly bills, or organizing their cupboard.
Struggling to complete a new-to-them task like learning a new program on the computer or driving to a new location is more likely to be typical age-related changes. Look for tasks that were once familiar and no longer are.
Losing track of time
People who have early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may lose track of what the season is or what time of day it is. They may dress inappropriately for the weather because they forget it’s winter or they may think it’s still morning late into the evening.
It is normal to temporarily forget what day of the week it is so long as your loved one can figure out the correct day within a short time period.
Inability to participate in long conversations
Someone beginning to struggle with Alzheimer’s may become more quiet and reserved because they are struggling to keep up with conversations or cannot find the right words to express their thoughts. They might interject words or thoughts that do not pertain to the current conversation.
Forgetting a word or the name of a place occasionally is normal and if you remind them of what the correct word is, they usually understand that right away when just dealing with typical age-related forgetfulness.
Poor judgment
A person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may begin to routinely practice poor judgment when it comes to decision-making. Your loved one may start spending money frivolously on items he doesn’t need or stop caring for his physical health. He might become very defensive about his decisions.
An occasional bad decision does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s is setting in. Look for patterns.
Memory Loss
Forgetting important dates, people, and conversations are all signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. While some forgetfulness is normal in the aging process, the forgetfulness of Alzheimer’s will affect your loved one’s quality of life and may cause him to miss important appointments and dates.
How an Alzheimer’s Care Provider Can Help
Finding a good Alzheimer’s care provider early on will help your loved one keep her independence for much longer than if she were trying to manage her disease and its symptoms on her own. An Alzheimer’s care team of providers will assist in those daily chores and activities that are difficult or impossible for her to do on her own, helping her stay in her home for as long as possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s care in Greenville, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.
Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia, and the surrounding areas.
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