Important Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, it is not something that inevitably occurs in old age. Rather, it is one of the dementing disorders, a group of brain diseases that lead to loss of mental and physical functions. Many of the symptoms mentioned in this article seem fairly common as we get older, however if the symptoms change a person’s character entirely, or if the problem has steadily worsened for 6 months, that’s something to think about.
The following information is obtained from the book “The Alzheimer’s Action Plan”.
Memory deficits:
Difficulty learning and grasping new information. Problems with step-by-step reasoning, such as following directions or logically figuring out why something doesn’t work. repeating itself Forget recent conversations or events. Not knowing where to look for lost things, because they can’t retrace their steps or remember where they might have last got something. Inability to remember normal words, so they substitute general words for specific names, such as “the girls” for wife and daughter or “the cleaner” for the vacuum cleaner. They may also use words that don’t sound right but make sense to them. For example, a math teacher started saying, “That doesn’t correlate,” whenever she was confused. Read and reread instructions without understanding.
poor judgment calls
Bad financial decisions, such as falling for a get-rich-quick scam that they should have known how to avoid before. Excessive generosity with money. Go out alone at night in a dangerous area.
Confusion
Lose yourself in familiar places. Misinterpret what they hear. Repeatedly asking what they are supposed to be doing right now. Struggling to make simple decisions or choices. Confusing the past with the present, such as believing that they still pay their bills on time like before, or trying to go to their old office. Not knowing how to respond if something unexpected happens, such as being hit with a detour while driving. Getting confused with tasks that require the use of numbers, such as making change or paying bills.
behavior changes
Abandon your normal routines and social activities. Changing their preferences in both food and clothing. Losing interest in hobbies, family, friends, or work. Repeating the same action, like dusting the same place, or never completing a task because they forget what they set out to do. Difficulty initiating, planning, or organizing meals, trips, or any event that was once routine, in part because they are easily distracted. A shorter attention span; wanting to leave an event soon after arriving. Problems driving or performing routine activities. Visuospatial problems, such as reaching too far to reach objects or misjudging the distance between cars. Ignoring polite rules of conduct. Checking things obsessively, as if the doors are closed. Hoarding of things of little value, such as boxes of tissues. Refuse treatment for other conditions, especially depression.
personality
Becoming passive and less animated. Resisting change or anything new. Become silly, moody, generous, or trusting. Being argumentative, especially at work and at home. Getting frustrated or angry easily. Take an unusual risk. Acting impulsively, disregarding the feelings of others. Misinterpreting sarcasm, humor, or niceties. Becoming stubborn, stubborn, insensitive, tactless, suspicious, threatening, or accusatory. Respond poorly to any kind of change, whether it’s going on a trip, staying in the hospital, or changing rooms.