Alzheimer’s disease results in a progressive loss of memory along with diminished thinking and reasoning abilities. Even though there’s no cure yet for this common form of dementia, the early management of symptoms can boost quality of life. You can increase the odds that your senior loved one will be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible by paying attention to the common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease discussed below.
1. Chronic Memory Loss
Simply forgetting things now and then isn’t necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. However, memory loss that’s increasingly frequent may be something to worry about. Pay particular attention to memory lapses that involve:
- Forgetting recent conversations or events
- Increasingly needing reminders and aids (e.g., notes, alerts on phones) to remember things
- Placing objects in odd places and forgetting where they are
- Having difficulty remembering to pay monthly bills
2. Difficulty with Familiar Tasks
People with this progressive condition often have increased difficulty completing familiar tasks. Needing occasional help using features on a phone or TV is generally considered normal. What’s out of the ordinary is forgetting how to get to the local grocery store or the steps involved in making a familiar meal.
If your senior loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, help is just a phone call away. For reliable Alzheimer’s care, Edmonton families can turn to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of professional memory care designed to help seniors maintain a higher quality of life. In addition to Alzheimer’s care, we also provide comprehensive dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care. From revolutionary care programs to compassionate and dedicated caregivers, we can meet all of your Alzheimer’s care needs.
3. Visual-Spatial Perception Issues
Vision impairment is sometimes associated with age, and it may be a sign of cataracts. But if your loved one has already had his or her eyes checked and is still having balance issues of difficulty judging distances, he or she may have visual-spatial issues related to Alzheimer’s.
4. Time/Place Confusion
Waking up and temporarily forgetting the day and date can happen to anyone. However, losing track of time or forgetting where you are on a regular basis is cause for concern. Your loved one may also have difficulty telling when seasons change or keeping track of holidays.
5. Communication/Vocabulary Problems
It’s normal to sometimes have difficulty finding the right words during a conversation. However, people with Alzheimer’s might forget common names for objects or stop in the middle of conversations and forget what they’re saying. They may also repeat themselves without realizing it.
Families looking for top-rated Edmonton home care service providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
6. Lapses in Judgment
Anybody can occasionally forget to get the car’s oil changed or neglect to put the check in the envelope when mailing a bill. However, serious lapses in judgment are reason enough to encourage your loved one to see the doctor. Examples include:
- Failing to pay attention to grooming
- Wearing soiled clothing for multiple days
- Overlooking household tasks that used to be completed on a regular basis
7. Withdrawal from Social Activities
Not everyone with early signs of Alzheimer’s will admit there’s a potential problem. Even so, increased issues with memory or being able to hold conversations may result in a gradual withdrawal from social activities. Some people with Alzheimer’s withdraw during the early stages of the condition in an attempt to hide the problem from family members and friends. An effective way to manage this issue is to offer your loved one reassurance and support as you suggest talking to the doctor.
A trained professional caregiver can be a fantastic resource when it comes to managing age-related conditions in seniors. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading elderly home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337.