Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but most families want to understand the early signs and other signs of this brain disease. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing or are concerned about a loved one’s mental health, be sure to visit your family physician. We understand the difficulties one may face, and the need to protect your family with an early diagnosis.
Memory Loss
The most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Paying special attention to conditions that disrupt daily activities and leads to confusion. In the beginning, short-term memory loss would happen and is gradually replaced by long-term memory loss. For example, fail to keep track of personal objects, appointments, dates, and times.
Problem Solving Issues
Inability to solve problems, work with numbers, or follow plans can also indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. In the early stage, one might have difficulty understanding multi-step issues and complexities. As a result, it might take them a long-time making to-do lists or calculating some basic math.
Object Misplacement
Individuals with Alzheimer’s usually leave their objects in strange places and have trouble retracing the steps. Typically items one might not use frequently or regularly and could possibly progress to daily objects such as cell phone or wallet. This forgetfulness sometimes leads to a lack of critical reasoning or pronounced irritability as to the place of the object. One might accuse other people of stealing their items when they cannot find them.
Speech Issues
Listen to any speech issues as people with Alzheimer’s tend to follow along or lose track of conversations that they are having with others. It can also be hard for them to mangle common phrases or words or repeat themselves. Watch out for strange, random pauses, using incorrect phrases, or slurring in conversation as well. Give a series of long words such as “scrupulous” or “incredibly” and ask them to repeat. If they have one of these signs, then it might indicate Alzheimer’s.
Social Withdraw
People often lose their interest in social activities, work, church, friendships, or hobbies. This might be caused by the troubles of their conditions or a blasé attitude to their interests. Be mindful that these changes should be assessed over time. You can ask them a few questions about the favorite team if they are a fan of sports. If you are not aware of these details, then it might be an obvious sign.
Confusion
Another common sign of Alzheimer’s is the confusion with place and time. These people often check their calendar or watch for the time and lose track of the current moments. Also, they might misjudge lengths of time or lose track of the current place. A simple way to check is by asking them what season or month it is. Sometimes, they might be able to figure it out but after 10 or 15 minutes.
Mood Changes
Alzheimer’s disease usually leads to sudden changes in their relationship with other people and mood. You should look out for any unusual expressions of anxiety, fear, depression, suspicion, anger, or confusion. Individuals might become upset more easily and have many issues with anxiety or depression. Also, they would be suspicious of surrounding people, even friends or family members. A simple way to differentiate this sign from that of other health issues is to pay special attention to how individuals behave when they come out of the comfort zone and are around some new people.
Poor Judgement
Another possible sign in people with Alzheimer’s disease is poor decision-making ability or judgment. For example, watch out for any occasion when they spend cash unwisely or give a large amount of money to telemarketers. In other words, they might be overly skeptical or over trusting of people, even when they are strangers. Also, individuals might have an unkempt look or poor hygiene, thus paying less attention to daily bathing or grooming. In addition, there are many other mistakes that they would make. That’s why it is important to have a plan in place for your loved one. Start exploring Memory Care options or in home care.
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks
Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease usually find it more difficult to complete their daily tasks and make plans. For instance, they might have difficulty managing the budget, driving to their workplace, or remember their own birthday. It is also common for them to need frequent help working the TV or stove. Many people often mistake that this is a sign of aging. However, the condition might get worse quickly in Alzheimer’s patients if left untreated immediately.
Loss of Concentration
It is not uncommon for people with Alzheimer’s disease to have a shorter attention span. This can be noticed easily when they often ask some repetitive questions and resist changes. As a result, they might have difficulty thinking about everything logically and organizing their own thoughts. This lack of processing skills would be quite obvious in the inability to perform tasks such as forgetting a payment or balancing a checkbook. This is a good indicator that the individual might be appropriate for a Memory Care community.
Behavioral Changes
It’s possible that you might start to see many behavioral changes in those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. One of the earliest changes would be the loss of interest in surrounding life or those things that they once enjoyed. It might also lead to other symptoms such as unprovoked hostility, emotional outbursts, a lack of spontaneity, less energy, and more. Some individuals would experience a loss of inhibition that causes behavior such as making inappropriate comments or undressing in a public area.
Observing
People with mild Alzheimer’s disease tend to spend more time of the day observing everything around them. One might become more agitated and annoyed. This sign makes them easily get lost when walking around the neighborhood, even in familiar places. It can also occur at night and affect their sleep patterns, thus leading to insomnia. In most cases, it is quite easy to notice this sign as it is quite rare and does not occur in many health issues. Thus, visit your doctor as soon as it happens.
If you are needing assistance and support with memory loss, please do not hesitate to reach out to the New Haven team at (866) 259-3297.
