A Reluctance To Face The Issue Survey Says
A recent Alzheimers Association survey of 1,000 individuals found that about three-quarters of Americans would be concerned about offending a family member or friend if they were to approach that person about observed signs of Alzheimers.
About 8 out of 10 respondents thought a confrontation on the topic would cause unnecessary worry, while 69 percent expressed concern that it could ruin their relationship.
Roughly 1 in 3 polled wouldnt say anything at all to a family member or friend who they thought was displaying signs of Alzheimers. More than one-third would wait until the individuals symptoms worsened before talking to him about the problem.
Im not surprised by the results, says Ruth Drew, a licensed professional counselor and director of Family and Information Services at the Alzheimers Association in Chicago.
A lot of us avoid conflict, says Drew. I loved the statistic in this survey that showed that almost 8 out of 10 Americans would shift responsibility of discussing observed signs of Alzheimers disease to another family member. Wed all rather that somebody else does the heavy lifting when it comes to these difficult conversations.
Get Family And Healthcare Providers Involved
If youre having difficulty communicating with a parent or other relative about Alzheimers, see if another family member or a close friend might be willing to try. Someone else may get better results.
If signs of early-stage Alzheimers are apparent, its also important to get the individual to see a doctor right away for a comprehensive evaluation for the disease.
Early Symptoms Of Dementia
Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
- memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
- increasing confusion
- apathy and withdrawal or depression
- loss of ability to do everyday tasks.
Sometimes, people fail to recognise that these symptoms indicate that something is wrong. They may mistakenly assume that such behaviour is a normal part of the ageing process. Symptoms may also develop gradually and go unnoticed for a long time. Also, some people may refuse to act, even when they know something is wrong.
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Signs Someone Is Getting Dementia According To Experts
Sure, most people have trouble remembering things as they get older. However, many cognitive changes are a normal part of agingincluding dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines dementia as a general term to describe “impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.” And, an estimated 5 million adults live with it. While there is no cure for dementia, identifying it early rather than later can be helpful in terms of management. Here are 7 signs someone is getting dementia, per the Alzheimer’s Associationand to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
What Are The Signs Of Dementia
Most age-related memory problems are not signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but evidence of a slowdown in the brain’s processing speed that increases the time it takes to retrieve information. As we age, our ability to divide our attention among more than one task or bits of information also declines, which can interfere with storing new memories.
While you may be able to chalk off a few memory lapses to normal aging, there are some common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. If you or someone you love is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Trouble remembering things. At first, only short-term memory may be affected, with long-term memory issues developing later. People may forget an appointment or the name of a new acquaintance. Many people complain of memory loss but can provide considerable detail regarding incidents of forgetfulness, such as where they were at the time. However, acknowledging memory loss only if asked and being unable to recall specific instances when they were unable to remember something can be a sign of dementia.
Trouble completing ordinary tasks. Simple tasks that once caused no difficulty may become much more challenging. For example, forgetting how to use the oven, lock the door, or get dressed can be signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Impaired judgment. The individual might have trouble making decisions, solving problems, or planning.For example, he may no longer be able to balance a checkbook or pay bills.
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How To Recognize Signs Of Senile Dementia
This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in internal medicine, diabetes, and weight management. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is board certified.There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 150,531 times.
What Should You Tell Someone Who Has Alzheimers Disease
- Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
It’s not just your loved one’s life that changes with an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Your own life is also dramatically altered as you assume the role of caretaker. Several important issues should be addressed as soon as possible. You must also learn how to handle the day-to-day challenges of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Most experts say that if the affected person asks you what’s wrong with them, you should be honest. Knowing that the problem is a disease, not “insanity,” is often a relief for the person affected. Telling someone who has not asked may be helpful, particularly if the person appears troubled about his or her condition. Generally, it’s best for the physician to explain the diagnosis. New information doesn’t always “stick,” however, so don’t be surprised if someone with Alzheimer’s disease continues to ask what’s wrong. In such cases, you can offer a reassuring but brief explanation.
Image: Branimir76/Getty Images
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Conditions With Symptoms Similar To Dementia
Remember that many conditions have symptoms similar to dementia, so it is important not to assume that someone has dementia just because some of the above symptoms are present. Strokes, depression, excessive long-term alcohol consumption, infections, hormonal disorders, nutritional deficiencies and brain tumours can all cause dementia-like symptoms. Many of these conditions can be treated.
Falling More Frequently Than You Used To
Constantly tripping over your own two feet? Everyone falls now and again, but frequent falling could be an early signal of Alzheimers disease, according to research. A study published in October 2021 in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience found that older adults who later develop Alzheimers disease are at higher risk for falls and other accidents in the years prior to their diagnosis than those who don’t have Alzheimers.
People will come into our office concerned because they forgot what was on their grocery list last week, but when their spouse says theyve fallen four times in the past year, thats a sign of a problem, says Rankin. Frequent falls may also be a symptom of other brain disorders, including progressive supranuclear palsy.
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Changes In Mood Or Emotion
The person may be more anxious, frightened or sad, and so at risk of depression. It is also common to become more irritable perhaps in frustration at lost abilities or easily upset. A person can often be more withdrawn, lack self-confidence and lose interest in hobbies or people.
Changes in behaviour are not common in early-stage dementia, other than in FTD. A person with behavioural variant FTD may lose their inhibitions and behave in socially inappropriate ways. They may also act impulsively and lose empathy for others.
Significant physical changes at this stage tend to be limited to DLB, where problems with movement are similar to Parkinsons disease. If someone with vascular or mixed dementia has a stroke, this can lead to weak limbs on one side.
Need help finding dementia information?Need help finding dementia information? .
Everybody forgets things from time to time. But if you or other people are noticing that memory problems are getting worse, or affecting everyday life, it could be a sign of dementia.
What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Now that we’ve discussed the scientific definitions, let’s turn to the warning signs. According to the experts at the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 major early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s to watch out for, and they are as follows:
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Am I At Risk For Alzheimer’s
Whether we have seen early signs in ourselves or not, many of us want to know what our chances of getting this disease may be. Research has shown a number of possible factors that can impact your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease, although none of these are a cause in and of themselves.
Some ages are more at risk
Old age is one of the most obvious risk factors. The vast majority of people develop the disease after the age of 65, and once you reach 65, your risk of getting Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. But Alzheimer’s doesn’t only affect people over 65 it has been known to affect people half that age, although this is much rarer.
Alzheimer’s is hereditary
A family history will also increase your risk of getting the disease. The risk increases even more if you have multiple family members who have suffered from the disease.
Whilst this may be due to the hereditary genetic factors we will look at in more depth later, there may be other factors at play. These could include environmental factors that impact both yourself and your family.
Gender predisposition
Gender is another significant risk factor. The first discovery of the disease back in 1906 was in a woman, and about twice as many women as men over 65 have Alzheimer’s. This may be in part to the fact that women have a longer lifespan or may even possibly be linked to menopause.
Genetic factors of Alzheimer’s
Other risk factors
Difficulty Finding The Right Words
Another early symptom of dementia is difficulty with communicating thoughts. A person with dementia may have a hard time explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. They may also stop in the middle of a sentence and not know how to continue.
Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be challenging, and it may take longer than usual for them to express their thoughts or feelings.
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Memory Loss That Affects Your Daily Life
Very early-stage Alzheimer’s may not be an interference with daily life, but tapping into family and health care support is important at this stage. Why?
Because as Alzheimer’s progresses, the signs and symptoms become more apparent. Forgetting recently learned information, forgetting names of people and places, repeatedly asking for the same information, and an increased need to rely on memory aids like notes — when they weren’t needed before — can be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
In contrast, with typical age-related memory loss, you might forget a name or directions, but you can usually remember it later.
Where To Go From Here
“It is never too early to start a conversation about our personal memory health or brain care with your healthcare provider even if we are not experiencing symptoms. If at any point in time we have memory concerns or are wanting more information, we can engage in a conversation with our healthcare providers,” says Dr. Culler. “We don’t need to link the care of our brains to a decline in our abilities to start a conversation with our providers, who are a source of support for our brain health and wellness. The health of our brains is 90%, lifestyle and 10% genetics. There are things we all can do, even with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, to optimize our memory health and brain care at any age.” Contact a medical professional to discuss the issue if you know someone at risk, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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Challenges In Planning Or Solving Problems
This could mean difficulty concentrating on solving your daily crossword puzzle, keeping track of finances . It may also be more difficult to stay organized or multitask, especially when there are a lot of moving parts.
“For instance, your mom loves cooking and always has the entire family over for holiday meals,” Bednarczyk says. “But now it seems to be too much for her to handle, she’s getting overwhelmed or frustrated, and she says she doesn’t want to host the holidays anymore.”
Mood And Personality Changes
Sudden changes in personality and mood swings are possible signs of dementia. Your family member could become fearful, paranoid, suspicious, depressed, or anxious.
Increased anger could also be a warning sign of dementia. If someone with dementia gets frustrated or overwhelmed, they could react with aggression. A normally calm, peaceful person who has dementia might:
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What Should I Expect As Dementia Progresses
Most forms of dementia are incurable and get worse over time. Although your loved one could be mostly independent for a while, theyll eventually need assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and cooking. Its also important to remember that their safety could become a concern.
If you anticipate their needs increasing, home care supports families while enabling seniors to continue living at home for as long as possible. Remaining in a familiar place can be especially helpful for people with dementia.
In later stages of dementia, living at home may no longer be an option. Memory care communities are a specialized type of senior living designed to meet the unique needs of someone experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline.
Difficulty Forming The Words To Speak
When people who used to be fluent and could speak smoothly stop being able to produce language that way, this may be a sign of dementia, says Rankin. Despite this symptom, patients are often crystal clear in other areas. They can run a business, manage their family, or draw beautifully, but they have increased difficulty actually forming the words to speak.
Additional reporting by Brian P. Dunleavy.
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What Are Secondary Complications Of Alzheimers Disease That Cause Death
Although Alzheimers disease devastates the brain, it does not kill the person. Secondary complications from decline in brain function lead to death.
The majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease die from aspiration pneumoniawhen food or liquid go down the trachea instead of the esophagus, causing damage or infection in the lungs that develops into pneumonia.
Moreover, neuronal death eventually leads to problems with swallowing and mobility. This predisposes the affected individuals to the risk of poor nutrition, dehydration, blood clots, falls, and infection.
Recognition And Coordination Difficulties
A person showing early signs of dementia may put everyday things in unusual places . They may have difficulty recognising familiar items such as a chair, soap, toothbrush, cutlery, kettle, coffee jar, cooker or fridge.
Signs of a loss of coordination skills can include struggling to undo or do up buttons, to tie or untie shoes and neckties, and to use a hair brush or razor. They may be more subtle, such as putting down a cup of tea too close to the edge of a table or having difficulties lifting a teapot or kettle or using a knife to cut vegetables or fruit.
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Eating Nonfood Objects And Rancid Foods
One surprising early sign of dementia is eating nonfood objects or foods that are rancid or spoiled. This is partly because the person forgets what to do with the things in front of them. For example, people with dementia might try to eat a flower from a vase on a restaurant table because they know they are there to eat but dont know what the flower is doing there, says Rankin.
Unlike some other Alzheimers symptoms or dementia symptoms, this one has few other likely explanations.
What Is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers disease is a complex neurological condition marked by gradual loss of neuronal communication and higher mental functions that can adversely affect memory, speech, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia that accounts for 60%-80% of all cases.
Alzheimers disease manifests initially with mild memory loss and lapses in judgment. As the disease gradually progresses, it can affect higher brain functions. In later stages, balance and coordination, as well as autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sleep cycles, are severely affected.
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