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Can You Spot the Early Signs of Dementia?

Can You Spot the Early Signs of Dementia

by Dane Cross

Dementia affects a large proportion of aging adults, most commonly occurring in people from the age of fifty plus. Learning to recognize the early signs of the disease is important when it comes to ensuring the safety of our aging family members and to make sure that their medical needs are met.

The occurrences that can signify the onset of dementia are often slow and quite subtle, but can be identified by those who know what to look for.

It is important to pay attention to small things that your aging relatives seem to be forgetting. Though many people have problems remembering things as they age, dementia will progress and gradually become more severe. The sooner we provide care for those with dementia, the less able they will be to unknowingly put themselves in harm’s way.

Dementia sufferers are typically unaware that they are suffering from the illness, which is why it is important for relatives to pay close attention to any warning signs.

If an aging relative begins to forget the names of their family members or other people close to them, then this could be a strong indication.
They may often feel confused – pausing for long periods of time in the midst of carrying out daily activities as they try to keep track of what they are doing.
If an aging relative is getting confused often during regular activities, it is a good idea they receive a medical evaluation in order to identify what it is that’s causing the confusion, whether it be dementia or otherwise.

Many dementia sufferers struggle to remember parts of their typical daily schedule. For example, if an elderly person reads the morning newspaper every day and suddenly stops for no apparent reason, this could be a warning sign. Of course, it might not always be something as trivial as reading a newspaper – consistently forgetting to take medication at a certain time of day, forgetting to cook a meal, or simply not remembering how to perform everyday tasks they usually carry out with little ease or effort could all be early signs of dementia.

Paying attention and picking up on these signs will help the family to become aware of any problems that might indicate the onset of dementia. Depending on how severe the dementia is, a physician may recommend a care home as an option in order to ensure the well-being and safety of our relatives. These nursing homes make sure that all of their patients are able to function as much as possible, provided with opportunities for social interaction as well as participate in daily activities that allow them to enjoy a high quality of life.

Author: Dane Cross writes on behalf of Maria Mallaband Care Group, one of the UK’s leading care home providers, renowned for offering luxurious, modern facilities and outstanding services.

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10 Warning Signs of Memory-Loss that Disrupt Daily Life

09/235 Comments

To encourage early detection and diagnosis, the Alzheimer’s Association Website has listed 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.

This is not the list of 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s but rather a list of “warning signs” that you may be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and should visit your physician and make him aware of your symptoms of memory-loss.

This list of 10 Warning Signs is taken directly from the Alzheimer’s Association Website which states– Alzheimer’s Association

“Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.”

Ten Warning Signs

1. Memory loss that disrupts family 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; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or problem solving

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. Confusion with time or place

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 or 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. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

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. misplacing things and losing ability to retrace steps

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, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

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. Withdrawal from work or social activities

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. Changes in Mood or Personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What’s a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your family physician and let him know of your symptoms. There are medications to delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s if diagnosed early.

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10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

09/032 Comments

10 Common Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

It isn’t easy to tell whether early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are due to aging or Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Because of that, Alzheimer’s generally goes undiagnosed for many years.

It is true, most of us would not want to know that we had Alzheimer’s since there is no cure. So many think, “what’s the hurry to know if you have the symptoms of Alzheimer’s or Dementia?”

Though there is no cure for Alzheimers, there are drugs to slow or postpone the progress and symptoms. This means a patient diagnosed earlier, could live longer with fewer symptoms if given medication at an early stage of his disease.

Plus, new research is ongoing and there may be even newer findings and cures in the near future. So it’s beneficial to know the earliest signs and symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer so that you can be diagnosed and treated for these symptoms while medication can make a difference. So far, later in the disease the same medications tend to offer little results in behavior or symptoms.

Not all patients have the exact same symptoms, but generally, each person will have many of the below behaviors to some degree.

1. Many people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s lose their ability to smell. In one study, they found that even those with the mildest cognitive impairment could not identify certain smells; strawberry, smoke, soap, menthol, clove, pineapple, natural gas, lilac, lemon, and leather.

2. Misplacing things in odd places. Many of us do this on occasion, but in the early stage of Alzheimer’s it will become a common practice to store things in odd places. Toilet paper behind the sofa. A wallet in the refrigerator, or a shoe in the freezer.

3. Repeating the same phrase or story over and over without realizing they’ve already told the same thing many many times.

4. Change in Personality. The extrovert may become more recluse, quiet and preferring to be alone. The introvert may become more boisterous and loud, often offending without realization. As early stages of Alzheimer’s progress, inhibitions are lost, causing behavior to change. They may become more offensive, embarrassing, sexual, antisocial. Sometimes, personality traits that they already have–become distorted; the suspicious person becomes paranoid, the thrifty person becomes a hoarder, etc.

Mom did not become a hoarder, but her youth was spent during the depression and her penchant to be thrifty escalated as she lost inhibitions. She would never throw away a plastic container when it was empty, but would wash and store it instead. At the grocery store it wasn’t unusual to spend an hour in the soda pop aisle. Mom would move back and forth in that aisle as though stalking prey. Making a choice was excruciating for her. She knew which Soda she wanted, but the fullness of the bottles kept her struggling for a choice. Mom had to have the fullest bottle.

We’re talking a 15 minute decision to pick up one bottle of pop. She measured the fullness level of each. And she wanted the fullest one on the shelf. A level which could be measured in millimeters on a row of 50 bottles.

5. They lose initiative. Most people are happy to do the things they enjoy; gardening, shopping, jogging, etc. When we do things that we enjoy, it’s invigorating. We make time to celebrate our favorite pastimes. The early Alzheimer’s patient may choose to sit in front of a television for hours instead, giving-up all hobbies and activities that they enjoyed in the past.

My Mom had a special, covered-porch built so her plants could survive the hot Desert sun. It was a lush green canopy of beauty. One of the first disturbing things that I noticed, several years before her diagnosis, was this little slice of paradise began to wilt away. A giant Grapefruit tree produced grapefruit as tiny as oranges. When I asked her about the watering conditions, she brushed off the question as though the garden was no longer important to her. I was surprised, but accepted her explanation. Looking back, I should have known better. My mom had a lifetime love affair with gardening.

6. Taking longer to do routine chores. And becoming overly upset if something unpredicted occurs. This reminds me of when Mom received the notice for Jury duty in the mail. She phoned me in full-blown hysteria, certain that they were coming to arrest her that day. That’s another Post, if you’d like to read it <–Here–>

7. They can forget to eat or eat all the time. Each sufferer seems to have a different issue with eating. My Mom would forget to eat. Before she was diagnosed, we spent many days in the hospital with Mom’s severe stomach cramps. Fortunately, one alert doctor finally noticed that Mom’s angry stomach quieted-down shortly after the IV was inserted on each visit.

8. Most people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s begin to neglect hygiene and need encouragement to change their clothes. They have begun to forget how long they’ve worn their clothes, and to identify which clothes are their own. They don’t know when they bathed last, and how to adjust the water to take a shower or bath.

9. Inability to concentrate. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s many people begin to lose their ability to concentrate on one thing at a time. This means they find it difficult to carry on a long conversation with full understanding. They may become confused when many people are talking at once. Trying to concentrate on a newspaper article or television newscast with both a shortened attention and memory span is near impossible. They simply aren’t able to put all the facts together and come to an accurate conclusion.

10. Easily confused about Day/Time and where they are. Even early stage Alzheimer’s patients can become confused about day and time and where they are. They can get lost even when they are in their own neighborhood. They often forget the day of the week or the month of the year.

If you have a loved one, family member or dear friend who shows several or more of these signs or symptoms, stay aware of their circumstances, encourage them to see a physician. Don’t forget that early diagnosis can postpone the symptoms and prolong life.

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Mom Didn’t Remember Making Her Own Funeral Arrangements

05/07Leave a Comment

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

When Mom’s second husband passed away, there were already early signs of Alzheimer’s that I did not see. She was in her late 70’s and I wasn’t sure how well she would cope with this tragedy. Her husband had been in good health, a slight asthmatic problem, but nothing more serious. When he suddenly collapsed after surgery, it was learned that he’d contracted an infection that held it’s own against all antibiotics. He was gone a few short days later.

Since their marriage 15 years earlier, Mom had depended on him heavily. Her marriage to my father had not ended as a happy one, so this last marriage had been a blessing. Her hubby was a take-charge guy and Mom’s lifestyle became just shy of blissful.

She quit driving with pleasure and allowed him to become their manager for finances, health care, insurance, and even doctor’s appointments. This husband handled everything except travel plans. Mom planned their numerous trips.

They traveled throughout the East and Midwestern states, where he had 10 children of his own. Three of his daughters flew-in during his final days in the hospital and stayed to accompany me to the funeral home to make the arrangements.

Mom was sad, but did not appear to be as devastated as I had thought she might be. When my father passed away years earlier, she had been uncontrollably anguished. Their marriage had not been a good one, yet it had lasted 40 years.

For this trip to the Funeral Home, she was dressed and ready to accompany us early the next morning. She handed me her checkbook with instructions to “pay it all, what ever the cost.” She did not want his children to know the cost or be responsible for any portion of the bill. Mom had adequate finances, and this was to be her burden alone.

We all entered the mortuary together, Mom, me and 3 half sisters. We were taken to a small room off to the side of the chapel and seated at a round table with blue binders in front of each blue upholstered chair.

A door to the side opened and another woman came forward with hand outstretched to greet and hug Mom as though they were nearest kinfolk. “I was so sorry to learn the news.” She patted Mom’s hand and continued to speak softly. As she consoled Mom, tears welled in her own eyes. I became uncomfortable, feeling as though I should know this woman, yet I didn’t. Another of Mom’s early signs of Alzheimer’s ignored.

“It’s just the saddest thing,” she spoke and shook her head back n forth at the same time. ” I can hardly believe it was only a year ago.”

I looked at Mom, seeking some sign of recognition. None. She sees this woman as much a stranger as I do. More early signs of Alzheimer’s that neither of us recognized.

“Last year?” I finally speak up? with a question. My curiosity has me leaning forward.

“Oh yes,” she’s nodding her head, then shaking it back and forth as she lowers her chin. “He was such a nice man. We just had the best time. Very comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. It doesn’t come easy for most of us. Making funeral arrangements is not something we want to do. It’s something we should do, but most people don’t. They leave it for their children.” She shrugged, and continued. “If you could give me a minute, I’ll find all the paper work. It’s a fairly recent pre-plan, so it won’t take long. The really old ones are the ones that are difficult to locate but as I said, they were in last year so… ” she offered a half smile and closed the door quietly behind her.

From what she was saying, I assumed that Mom and her husband had already visited the Funeral Home within the last year.

“Mom,” I asked curiously… “you were here last year? Do you remember her? She seems to know you.”

“No,” Mom was adamant, shaking her head back and forth. “I’ve never seen her before. I’m sure she’s mistaken. Maybe I look like someone else, mistaken identity or something. I don’t know her, and I certainly wasn’t in a funeral home last year.” Mom was clearly agitated now, twisting the little winder on her watch. She had a strange and fearful look in her eye as though reading her watch absolutely necessary right now!

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Timex Women’s Digital Watch

(Mom was more preoccupied with the time than what was happening in the moment.

Her watch was broken, I was certain. She had wound and unwound the small stem on her watch until it was surely broken. Yet, held to my ear, it ticked as it always had… “tick…tick…tick.”

Now she complained that it no longer worked, no longer told her the right time of day.

I often felt that I was as useless as that watch. Everything was confusing, a ticking clock that couldn’t tell time, a funeral home that had reservations for someone before they passed.

If it wasn’t so sad, I’d be laughing.

Frankly, I was confused and irritated. Only much later, when I finally knew that my mother had Alzheimer’s, did I learn that she could no longer read the hands on a clock. No longer recall things she’d done a year ago.

Another very common early sign of Alzheimer’s, yet I knew nothing about Alzheimer’s on that day.

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“Okay, okay. It will be fine, Mom.” I comforted her with an arm around her shoulder. “She’ll realize her mistake when she can’t find a file for you. I’m sure she has you confused with someone else.”

We sat around a long Mahogany table and flipped pages in a binder, viewing floral arrangements in various color, size and price range. It was only minutes before the woman in blue returned. This time she shifted the weight of much smaller black leather books.

“These are the arrangements you pre-approved,” she said as she slid a ne folder in front of each of us. I glanced at Mom first, before flipping the cover on this new binder. Mom’s face pinched in a grimace.

The front cover opened and introduced the arrangements made by Mom and her husband. All of the arrangements. The only thing missing was the dates of their death. I watched Mom as she squinted and frowned at the photo of their tombstone, the flowers with trailing stems, the sweet verse, their names and birth dates, all chosen more than a year before but totally unfamiliar to my mother.

The lady who had been a stranger said, “Remember how we pined over the correct verse to use. I really like it now. It does it still seem appropriate to you?” She smiled.

Mom shifted in her chair with a look of fright, then forced a smile and added, “Oh yes, that’s right. I do remember that.”

I wanted to shout! I could tell by the look in her eye, she remembered no such thing!

But I waited. When we got home I questioned and questioned her. My Mom and Her husband had pre-planned their entire funerals and pre-paid the entire bill only a year before. Yet, she hadn’t remembered a single thing about it, not even the lady who had worked with her through the arrangements.

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As I think back, it was more warning, more missed early signs of Alzheimer’s. It wasn’t the only incident that would have me confused and scratching my head. I could hardly speak as Mom denied ever being in the funeral home, then agreed that she had simply forgotten it. And there would be many many more confusing circumstances before I finally told the doctor about my mom’s memory problems.

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide Alzheimer’s Disease Guide To Understanding Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? A First-Time Caregiver’s Plan Surviving Alzheimer’s