Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to Look Out for in Your Aging Loved One
Senior Care in Millstone NJ
Throughout the United States there are approximately 5.4 million adults who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This condition can have a dramatic effect not just on their lives, but on the lives of those who care for them as well. If you are a family caregiver for an older adult, being able to recognize the potential signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is an important part of being attentive, proactive, and prepared to handle difficult situations as they arise. September is Alzheimer’s Month. This is the ideal opportunity for you to refresh your knowledge of the early signs and symptoms that could indicate that your aging parent is at the beginning of their journey with Alzheimer’s disease. This can help you to put the right plans into place to keep them living the quality of life that they desire and deserve.
Some of the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Disruptive memory loss. Everyone has moments when they forget things or cannot remember why they are doing something. If this becomes marked and disruptive to their real life, however, it could be an indication of early Alzheimer’s disease.
- Communication problems. Pay close attention when talking to your aging parent. If they seem like they are struggling to find the right word, or they are substituting nonsense words and sounds for words in their daily conversations, it might be time to discuss Alzheimer’s with them and their doctor.
- Poor judgment. One of the earliest impacts that this disease can make on the brain is diminishing judgement. Take note if your parent makes choices that are not safe or do not seem right, such as walking out in the middle of the road without looking or going outside in their pajamas if this is not something that they would usually do.
- Difficulty with time. It is not uncommon for someone to not know what day it is or misinterpret the time of day. If this becomes a frequent issue with your parent or they seem to not know the season, the year, or how long it has been since they have done something, it could be an indication of something serious and it may be time for you to have a talk with their doctor.
If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, now may be the perfect time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can offer a personalized approach to care and assistance tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations that will help your aging loved one to manage their disease in the way that is right for them. Through this approach to care your parent will live a lifestyle that is safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy, while still maintaining as much of their independence and autonomy as possible. This supports better mental, emotional, and cognitive health as they progress through their disease. For you, knowing that your parent is in good hands even when you are not able to be with them is a fantastic way to provide you with peace of mind and confidence that they are safe, healthy, and happy.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring senior care in Millstone, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.
Source:
http://www.alz.org/facts/
http://alz.org/10-signs-symptoms-alzheimers-dementia.asp