A decline in mental acuity. Confusion and memory lapses. Impairment in motor skills. Sound like Alzheimer’s disease? Not necessarily, according to the experts. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can closely mirror those of other treatable conditions, such as depression, with slight variances. We’ve put together a simple checklist of the main symptoms between these two conditions to help bring some clarity to their subtle differences:
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:
- Mental decline happens slowly
- The patient experiences confusion and disorientation, often becoming lost in familiar locations
- Patient has difficulty with short-term memory
- Writing, speaking and motor skills are impaired
- Patient does not notice memory problems or seem to care
Symptoms of Depression:
- Mental decline occurs relatively rapidly
- Patient knows the correct time and date, and recognizes his or her surroundings
- Patient has difficulty concentrating
- Language and motor skills are slow, but normal
- Patient notices and/or worries about his or her memory problems
Determining whether a senior is struggling with either depression or dementia is crucial. If you notice any of these symptoms in your senior loved one, be sure to contact his or her physician.
If your loved one is facing challenges with any condition of aging, including Alzheimer’s disease or depression, our New York senior support services can help. We can meet a wide range of needs through services such as:
- Personal care
- Socialization and companionship
- Meal preparation and assistance with eating if needed
- Grocery shopping and running errands
- Assistance with mobility and transferring
- And much more, including specialized Alzheimer’s disease care
Contact us any time at 917-880-9373 to arrange for an in-home assessment and to take that first step towards enhancing quality of life and wellbeing for your senior loved one.