Watching our beloved parents or grandparents age can sometimes be difficult, but we can do our part in trying to keep them healthy and happy. Watching for signs and symptoms of certain diseases can assist your loved one in getting an early diagnosis and therefore, getting a plan in place to keep them as healthy as possible. A common disease that can sneak up on our senior loved ones is Alzheimer’s disease.
Family members can do research and get educated on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. There are many ways that a person can get information on the disease, such as a health care provider, credible sources on the internet, and a local library. Although it is not easy realizing that a loved one has the disease, catching the signs early and getting your family member diagnosed will allow for a treatment plan to be put in place.
The following are some signs of Alzheimer’s to watch for in your senior loved one:
- Memory loss that makes daily life difficult – Memory loss is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s. If there is a continuous pattern of forgetting information that was recently learned, forgetting important dates or events, constant reminders of things a senior used to do on their own, and asking the same questions over and over, you should be concerned.
- Issues with solving problems – This problem is especially noticeable when dealing with numbers. If you notice things that used to be routine are now difficult, such as, taking care of monthly bills, following a favorite recipe, or doing simple math, this could be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
- Difficulty completing normal duties – Those with Alzheimer’s might no longer be able to drive to a frequented location, remember how to play a favorite game, or find it hard to complete daily tasks.
- Time and place confusion – Losing track of what day, month, or season it is; and forgetting where they are or how they wound up there are both signs that a senior might have Alzheimer’s.
- Visual or spatial trouble – If your senior loved one is having problems with reading signs, judging distance, or deciphering contrast or color, this could be a warning sign to get them checked for the disease.
- Altered personality or mood – People can become confused, disoriented, anxious, depressed, or afraid of things they wouldn’t normally be afraid of when suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer’s. They might even become frustrated and upset when they can’t remember things or control a situation.
These are just a few of the warning signs to watch for when suspecting that Alzheimer’s might be present in a senior loved one. If you have any suspicions whatsoever, make sure you read up on the disease and, more importantly, contact your loved one’s physician to have them seen. Nobody wants to hear that their loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, but it is in their best interest that we care for them and get them help if they need it.