Trouble With The Passage Of Time
Typically, time isn’t a real problem. Most people are able to tell the difference between a few minutes and a few hours. But one early sign of Alzheimer’s is when someone’s perception of time is affected.
“Five minutes can seem like five hours for someone with ,” Lisa P. Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, an associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, told CBS News. “So a husband may think his wife has been gone for hours or even weeks, even if it’s just been a few minutes, or he might tell his grandchild that he hasn’t seen him in five years, even though he just saw him yesterday.”
Trouble Keeping Track Of And Paying Bills
Every month, you know exactly which bills are due and whenor at least, you used to know. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, working with numbers becomes difficult, making it hard to ensure payments are going out on time. If you suddenly struggle to remember to pay the same bills you’ve been paying for years, talk to your doctor about the possibility of early onset dementia.
How To Spot Early Indicators That Your Loved One May Have Alzheimers Or Dementia
by Patrick J. Kiger, AARP, Updated May 4, 2021| 0
En español | From age 50 on, its not unusual to have occasional trouble finding the right word or remembering where you put things.
But persistent difficulty with memory, cognition and ability to perform everyday tasks might be signs that something more serious is happening to a loved ones brain.
Dementia isnt actually a disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Its a catch-all term for changes in the brain that cause a loss of functioning that interferes with daily life. Dementia can diminish focus, the ability to pay attention, language skills, problem-solving and visual perception. It also can make it difficult for a person to control his or her emotions and lead to personality changes.
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to a 2021 report by the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60 percent to 70 percent of cases, but a range of brain illnesses can lead to the condition .
Diseases that cause dementia
These conditions are the leading causes of dementia. Many patients have mixed dementia, a combination of two or more types, such as Alzheimers and vascular dementia.
Vascular dementia. The second most common type of dementia is caused from damage to the vessels that supply blood to the brain. It tends to affect focus, organization, problem-solving and speed of thinking more noticeably than memory.
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What Are The Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists continue to unravel the complex brain changes involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimers disease. It seems likely that damage to the brain starts a decade or more before memory and other cognitive problems appear. During this preclinical stage of Alzheimers disease, people seem to be symptom-free, but toxic changes are taking place in the brain.
Damage occurring in the brain of someone with Alzheimers disease begins to show itself in very early clinical signs and symptoms. For most people with Alzheimersthose who have the late-onset varietysymptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Signs of early-onset Alzheimers begin between a persons 30s and mid-60s.
The first symptoms of Alzheimers vary from person to person. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to Alzheimers disease. Decline in non-memory aspects of cognition, such as word-finding, vision/spatial issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the very early stages of Alzheimers disease. And some people may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. As the disease progresses, people experience greater memory loss and other cognitive difficulties.
Alzheimers disease progresses in several stages: preclinical, mild , moderate, and severe .
You Find It Difficult To Keep Focused
In addition to visual-spatial processing issues, Chow also had trouble with concentration due to shrinkage in his frontal lobe. That made writing, reading and driving difficult and affected his ability to do high-level tasks as an IT specialist, says Tartaglia.
Beyond Alzheimers, any other kind of dementia can affect this area of the brainbut note that an inability to focus can also be caused by anxiety, depression and side effects to medication.
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What To Do If This Sounds Like You
If someone is experiencing some of these signs, but is still living their daily life reasonably well, they would be a perfect candidate to come in and get screened for participation in the study, says Dr. Sperling. Her team is seeking to screen as many as 10,000 people in order to find 1,000 participants to be part of the trial. Remember, the reason to participate in this study is not because we think you have advanced Alzheimers disease, its to prevent all memory loss due to Alzheimers disease by stopping the disease in its earliest stage, she continues.
An Early Signs Of Dementia And Alzheimers Checklist
Noticing potential signs of dementia or Alzheimers in a loved one can be stressful. It can help to write down what you see so that you can reference it later when talking to a health professional. Writing down what is normal for your loved one can also help you notice what might simply be normal signs of aging. Download our checklist so you can keep track of the changes see.
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Difficulty Finding The Right Words
Another early symptom of dementia is struggling to communicate thoughts. A person with dementia may have difficulty explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be difficult, and it may take longer than usual to conclude.
Your Daily Brain Health Checklist
Now that you know some of the early signs of dementia, lets review the basics of good brain health you can practice every day:
- Anti-inflammatory and gut healing diet
- Consistent exercise
- Sleep well
If you are unsure about the state of your cognition or memory and want personalized help, please reach out to our clinic.;
References
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Bad Time Management Habits
Time management is the necessity of every person in this fast world. Today, no one has time to wait for and call on others.
A dementia patient is incompetent to save time to do her duties. Bad time management habits are one of the signs of dementia in women. The loss of memory, deficiency of energy, disturbance in the sleeping cycle, depression and other such interconnected situations of dementia are a route to difficulties in the management of time.
Disorientation of biological clocks in the body and a condition of constant nervousness are the chief causes of the production of the intricate scene for time management.
Risk Factors To Consider
Although AD isnt an expected part of advancing age, youre at increased risk as you get older. More than 32 percent of people over age 85 have Alzheimers.
You may also have an increased risk of developing AD if a parent, sibling, or child has the disease. If more than one family member has AD, your risk increases.
The exact cause of early onset AD hasnt been fully determined. Many researchers believe that this disease develops as the result of multiple factors rather than one specific cause.
Researchers have discovered rare genes that may directly cause or contribute to AD. These genes may be carried from one generation to the next within a family. Carrying this gene can result in adults younger than age 65 developing symptoms much earlier than expected.
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You No Longer Grasp Concepts You Once Did
Problems with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as understanding numbers or reading a house planespecially if that was a strength beforeare an early symptom that can be caused by damage in the frontal and parietal lobes. For Chow, this appeared early at work in his inability to make simple calculations, but it also impeded his long-held role as the manager of his familys finances. After his diagnosis, Eva took over those duties.
The Signs Of This Form Of Dementia Are Different From Those Of Normal Age
Did you ever stride purposefully into a room, stand in one spot, and then wonder what you’d intended to do? Have you ever lost your house keys, or forgot where you parked the car? Relax. Occasional memory slips are natural.
“Everyone has these experiences sometimes, but if they frequently happen to you or someone you love, they may be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Scott M. McGinnis, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Medical Editor of the Harvard Special Health Report A Guide to Coping with Alzheimer’s Disease.
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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.
Surprising Sign #: Cant Spot Sarcasm
Early stages of the disease have a way of messing with your ability to read vocal and facial cues, according to a University of California at San Francisco study. That means you may lose your internal lie detector or your ability to know when someones being sarcastic or telling a joke. Dr. Kaiser says this may be related to changes in parts of the brain that are responsible for both communication and memory.
On the surface, the ability to identify what the study calls ironic speech may not sound like a big deal. But Dr. Kaiser points out that being able to follow a conversation and other social cues matter in terms of quality of life. Just think about a time when you may have misinterpreted a sarcastic comment as an earnest statement. Now imagine that happening in every discussion you have.;
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Problems Speaking Or Writing
In the early stages of dementia, it can be difficult for your loved one to follow conversations. You may observe your loved one stopping in the middle of a conversation with no idea how to continue.
They may also struggle to find the right words. We all forget words from time to time and eventually remember them. People with dementia often cannot retrieve the word even after trying many times. Your loved one may also begin to repeat sentences within a conversation or say the same thing repeatedly in a short period of time.
What You Might Notice: Youve called your dad up to let him know about your plans for Christmas. He sounds agreeable but as you are saying goodbye he says, When are the kids coming for Easter? I need to buy somesomebox wrapping.
How You Can Help: If you know what they are trying to say, dont correct. Just agree and calmly provide the needed word. If they repeat themselves, remember that they are not aware of it. Listen and then continue the conversation in a different direction.
Talking With A Doctor
After considering the persons symptoms and ordering screening tests, the doctor may offer a preliminary diagnosis or refer the person to a Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service clinic, neurologist, geriatrician or psychiatrist.Some people may be resistant to the idea of visiting a doctor. In some cases, people do not realise, or else they deny, that there is anything wrong with them. This can be due to the brain changes of dementia that interfere with the ability to recognise or appreciate the changes occurring. Others have an insight of the changes, but may be afraid of having their fears confirmed.One of the most effective ways to overcome this problem is to find another reason for a visit to the doctor. Perhaps suggest a check-up for a symptom that the person is willing to acknowledge, such as blood pressure, or suggest a review of a long-term condition or medication.Another way is to suggest that it is time for both of you to have a physical check-up. Any expressed anxiety by the person is an excellent opportunity to suggest a visit to the doctor. Be sure to provide a lot of reassurance. A calm, caring attitude at this time can help overcome the person’s very real worries and fears.Sometimes, your friend or family member may refuse to visit the doctor to ask about their symptoms. You can take a number of actions to get support including:
- talking with other carers who may have had to deal with similar situations
- contacting your local Aged Care Assessment Team
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Needing Constant Memory Aids
When your memory is in good working order, you can recall most things without always having to write them down or be reminded. However, those in the throes of early Alzheimer’s become more dependent on memory aids, like reminder notes, and often need their friends and family members to help them out. If you can’t so much as remember to pick your friend up at the airport without an alert on your phone telling you to do so, it might be time to see the doctor.
Struggling To Adapt To Change
For someone in the early stages of dementia, the experience can cause fear. Suddenly, they cant remember people they know or follow what others are saying. They cant remember why they went to the store, and they get lost on the way home.
Because of this, they might crave routine and be afraid to try new experiences. Difficulty adapting to change is also a typical symptom of early dementia.
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Early Warning Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease
- MetroCreative Connection
An ability to recognize dementia symptoms early can help millions take proactive steps to improve quality of life.
Alzheimers disease is an insidious illness that slowly robs individuals of their memories, personalities and relationships. The Mayo Clinic says Alzheimers is a progressive neurological disorder that causes brain atrophy and cell death, which contributes to continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills. This eventually affects a persons ability to live independently.
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimers disease, which is believed to affect approximately 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older. While there currently is no cure for Alzheimers disease and other dementias, there are strategies that can help mitigate symptoms. An ability to recognize dementia symptoms early can help millions take proactive steps to improve quality of life.
Below are some early warning signs of Alzheimers disease, courtesy of notable health organizations, including MJHS® Health System, the Alzheimers Association, Alzheimers New Zealand, and the Mayo Clinic.
Recent memory loss that affects daily life. While it is normal to forget where you left keys, names or even telephone numbers from time to time, a person with dementia may have difficulty remembering recent events or where they live.
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Watch For These 12 Early Signs Of Dementia
As you interact with an aging loved one, watch for these early signs of dementia and Alzheimers. One symptom doesnt necessarily mean that they are developing dementia. However, several may mean that your loved one needs to be seen by a neurologist. The top twelve early signs and symptoms of dementia include
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Caring For Alzheimers Patients
Although theres no cure for Alzheimers disease, it may be possible to slow down its progression by taking medications, eating a healthy diet, increasing exercise, adopting good sleep habits, seeking active cognitive engagement, and maintaining social connections.
Eventually, however, it will be necessary to ensure your loved one is in a safe environment, possibly staying at home with an aide, moving in with relatives, or moving to a long-term nursing facility.
In time, she may have difficulty communicating, not recognize loved ones, be verbally or physically aggressive, become immobile and/or be unable to groom or feed herself.
Where To Get Help
- Your local community health centre
- National Dementia Helpline Dementia Australia ;Tel. 1800 100 500
- Aged Care Assessment Services Tel. 1300 135 090
- My Aged Care 1800 200 422
- Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service clinics Tel. 1300 135 090
- Carers Victoria Tel. 1800 242 636
- Commonwealth Carelink and Respite Centres Australian Government Tel. 1800 052 222
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service Tel. 1800 699 799 for 24-hour telephone advice for carers and care workers
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Decline In Physical Hygiene
Even if someone was strict about keeping up with good hygiene before, that may change once they begin to showcase signs of Alzheimer’s. Due to the changes in cognitive function that occur with this disease, things like taking baths or showers, changing clothes, and flossing become more difficult, says the Alzheimer’s Association. And for more ways to improve your personal well-being, check out the 100 Easy Ways to Be a Much Healthier Person, According to Science.
Find Out How You Know Whether Your Forgetfulness Is Just A Sign Of Trying To Do Too Much At Once Or Whether You Might Be Showing Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s
You might have a habit of misplacing your cell phone. Or maybe there was the time you ran into an old high school palthe one whose yearbook you signed, “friends 4-ever”but you blanked on her name.
With June being Alzheimer’s disease and brain awareness month, it’s a good reminder to learn the early signs of Alzheimer’s, a disease of the brain that causes gradual memory loss as well as a decline in thinking and reasoning skills.
So maybe you’re wondering: If I forget things, misplace belongings, blank on a word or a name, am I destined for Alzheimer’s?
Not necessarily. With life being busy and our minds constantly challenged with processing and storing new and old information, it’s totally normal to occasionally slip up in the memory department.
Another culprit? Multitasking. Most of us inevitably find ourselves doing a zillion things at once, which is an impossible thing to do, according to recent research. Although we may think we are capable of it, multitasking is but a myth. Our brain is not designed to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
Memory is also a function of the cognitive decline that’s a normal process of aging. Our memory or recall of events that happened years before are stored and preserved; yet, recent memory or the formation of new memories becomes more vulnerable as we age.
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