Alzheimer's Disease 10 Warning Signs
Alzheimer's Disease
10 Warning Signs
Warning Sign #1: Everyday Memory Loss
This includes fully forgetting key information that you’ve
recently learned, like dates, event happenings, and an inability to recall
names. Most of us forget things occasionally, but can recall them later.
However, repeatedly asking for the same information, or an over-reliance on
reminder tools can also be a sign of the disease.
Warning Sign #2: Growing Disinterested In
Life
If you or someone you know has started gradually withdrawing
from once-loved activities and people, it could be a sign of the disease. This
apathy can occur quite gradually, and the patient often can’t explain why
they’re feeling so apathetic.
Warning Sign #3: Problem Solving and
Planning Issues
Having trouble planning your daily life? Unable to follow
simple directions or concentrate for short periods of time? These are common
issues to look out for with Alzheimer’s Disease. We’re all prone to making
errors, but repeating these errors time and again can be a warning sign.
Warning Sign #4: Unsure Where You Are, Or
How You Got There
A key red flag for Alzheimer’s disease is an spontaneous
inability to remember where you are, what time it is, or how you ended up in a
certain location. This disorientation can get much worse as the disease
progresses.
Warning Sign #5: Visual-Spatial Challenges
Navigating the house, having trouble walking or even reading
skills can all be impaired with Alzheimer’s disease. If you’ve noticed a
difficulty with depth perception and recognizing familiar faces or objects, see
your doctor immediately. While eyesight can gradually deteriorate with age, the
kind of changes experienced with Alzheimer’s can be more drastic and
sudden.
Warning Sign #6: Verbal and Written
Communication Problems
Those living with Alzheimer’s can find talking with others to
be quite hard, since they can’t follow the conversation well and will often
repeat themselves. With a worsening ability to find the right word to use,
writing also becomes a difficult task. Sometimes, we can have words on the “tip
of our tongue”, but remember them later. Alzheimer’s heralds a new level of
forgetfulness, where you lose the word entirely.
Warning Sign #7: Worsening Moods and
Personality Changes
People who were once joyful and lively can suddenly become
tense and angry. Or someone who was optimistic can take a turn for severe
pessimism. If you’ve noticed this abrupt change in yourself or a loved one,
this can indicate a changing brain that requires evaluation.
Warning Sign #8: Losing Things Often
Everyone misplaces things from time to time. But with
Alzheimer’s disease, this everyday occurrence becomes that much worse. Not only
are things misplaced more often, but finding them becomes an almost impossible
task. Since they can’t remember losing an item, sufferers of Alzheimer’s may
start blaming others for these lost objects.
Warning Sign #9:
Signs of Bad Judgement
Everyone makes mistakes. However, those with Alzheimer’s can
find the choices and mistakes they make to be increasingly questionable. They
may start giving money away to phishing scams, or simply forget to use the
shower like they used to. If you notice these small changes, consult a doctor
immediately.
Warning Sign #10: Difficulty Doing Familiar
Things
Forgetting rules to a simple card game you used to play
everyday isn’t normal. In fact, if that kind of forgetfulness happens often, it
can be quite worrisome. Not remembering how to drive home, forgetting how to
use the TV remote, and losing the ability to recall other familiar things can
signal that Alzheimer’s is present.
NEXT STEPS
As you can tell,
the warning signs for Alzheimer’s aren’t always totally obvious. If you suspect
that someone you love is experiencing the subtle warning signs of Alzheimer’s,
you can contact us
any time to schedule a cognitive assessment, and establish a
training plan to delay cognitive decline.
_____________________________
R José Afonso 25, 8600-601 Lagos
+351 968 576 155
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