What Are The Early Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s

Early Signs/symptoms Of Alzheimers

Some of the common early symptoms and signs of Alzheimers that senior clients and family caregivers can be on the lookout for are listed below. If clients or family caregivers notice any of these signs, they should quickly schedule a physician appointment.

• Forgetting newly learned information, important events/dates, or repeatedly requesting the same information
• Showing worry or concern about memory capacities
• Struggle to manage finances or solving problems
• Hesitation to plan for coming events, particularly for those who typically volunteer their time to plan
• Becoming lost while driving, especially on everyday roads
• Disengaging from work, personal pastimes/hobbies, or social events
• Increased variation in mood and personality
• Poor judgment or choice making
• Trouble following or joining a discussion, struggling with vocabulary, and using the wrong words for daily things

Comfort Keepers® Can Help

At Comfort Keepers®, our trained caregivers can identify changes in client behavior and report them to the family. For those who suffer from Alzheimers or dementia, our professional caregivers can help them be safe and comfortable at their homes while providing everything from laundry, housekeeping to meal preparation and transportation. Learn more about how Comfort Keepers Senior Care Cambridge helps seniors and other adult clients by contacting us today.

Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. Looking for early signs of Alzheimers. Web. 2017.

Stage : Mild Dementia

At this stage, individuals may start to become socially withdrawn and show changes in personality and mood. Denial of symptoms as a defense mechanism is commonly seen in stage 4. Behaviors to look for include:

• Difficulty remembering things about one’s personal history
• Disorientation
• Difficulty recognizing faces and people

In stage 4 dementia, individuals have no trouble recognizing familiar faces or traveling to familiar locations. However, patients in this stage will often avoid challenging situations in order to hide symptoms or prevent stress or anxiety.

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.

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Inability To Recognize Sarcasm

I was being sarcastic. We say this regularly because we can tell when someone is using the wise-guy device of sarcasm. But if you fail to recognize it, or take it very literally and seriously, it may be a sign of atrophy in your brain.

A study by Katherine Rankin, Ph.D., of the University of California/San Francisco found that Alzheimers patients and those with Frontotemporal Disease were among those who could not recognize sarcasm in face-to-face encounters.

See also

What Is Vascular Dementia And How To Spot The Early Symptoms

Vascular Dementia is one of the four most common forms of Dementia, alongside Fronto Temporal Dementia, Alzheimers, and Lewy Body Dementia. Vascular Dementia occurs due to the blood vessels deep within the brain narrowing, restricting the ease of blood flow to the brain. This can happen through a stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attacks more commonly known as a TIA or mini stroke.

Dementia can be one of the hardest diseases to watch a loved one go through, and its main symptoms can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking and problem solving. It can be much more likely that someone will develop Vascular Dementia if they have had a stroke in the past or if they have diabetes or heart disease, but they can reduce their risk by taking measure to keep these conditions at bay through living as healthily as possible. It has been said that there is good evidence to suggest that keeping your mind active throughout your life can decrease the risk of developing Vascular Dementia, too.

Regrettably, Vascular Dementia is estimated to affect roughly 150,000 adults in the UK, with it being more prominent in older adults. After the age of 65, the likelihood of Vascular Dementia developing doubles every 5 years. Whereas the parent group of Dementia is estimated to affect roughly 850,000 UK adults.

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Warning Signs Of Alzheimer’s

Memory often changes as people grow older. Some people notice changes in themselves before anyone else does. For other people, friends and family are the first to see changes in memory, behavior, or abilities. Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. People with one or more of these 10 warning signs should see a doctor to find the cause. Early diagnosis gives them a chance to seek treatment and plan for the future.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting events, repeating yourself or relying on more aids to help you remember .

2.Challenges in planning or solving problems: having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years.

3.Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: having problems with cooking, driving places, using a cell phone, or shopping.

4.Confusion with time or place: having trouble understanding an event that is happening later, or losing track of dates.

5.Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: having more difficulty with balance or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alzheimers Association have created the Healthy Brain Initiatives State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map.

8. being a victim of a scam, not managing money well, paying less attention to hygiene, or having trouble taking care of a pet.

How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Progress

The rate of progression of the disease varies from person to person.

However, the disease does lead eventually to complete dependence and finally death, usually from another illness such as pneumonia. A person may live from three to twenty years with Alzheimer’s disease, with the average being seven to ten years.

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Problem Solving Or Planning Difficulties

The person may find that they have difficulty following directions, solving problems, and focusing. For example, they may find it difficult to:

• follow a recipe
• follow directions on a product
• keeping track of monthly bills or expenses

Some people often have problems like these, but if they start to happen when they did not happen before, it could indicate early onset Alzheimers disease.

Difficulty In Calculating Numbers And Handling Money Or Balancing The Cheque Book

This is different to: common age-related issues such as missing a couple of debt repayments due to low income, making occasional errors with number calculations.

Consistent financial problems and money struggles are high on the early signs of dementia checklist. These dementia symptoms include changes in an ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. This could include:

• Spending money more frivolously than usual
• Having difficult following a recipe with measurements
• Being uncharacteristically generous with money
• Struggling to keep track of monthly bills

If youre concerned about your parents ability to handle their finances, read our guide on protecting their legal and financial situation.

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Early Signs & Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

In the beginning, increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion may be the noticeable first signs of Alzheimers disease. When experiencing the early stages of Alzheimers, some may notice that they are having abnormal difficulty arranging thoughts or remembering simple things.

The Alzheimers Association has outlined the warning signs and symptoms that are attributed to disease:

Early Signs & Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Frequently Misplacing Items And Not Being Able To Retrace Steps

Most people will lose items at some time, but they are usually able to locate them again by searching in logical locations and retracing their steps.

However, someone with Alzheimers disease may forget where they placed an item, especially if they put it in an unusual place. They may also be unable to retrace their steps to find the missing item. This can be distressing and may cause the person to believe that someone is stealing from them.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Middle Stage Of Alzheimer’s Disease

• Starting to have trouble carrying out everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming without help
• Major gaps in memory begin to be evident, with individuals often unable to recall their address, the year, the season, and recent events.
• Individuals often incorrectly remember their personal history.
• Inability to think clearly and solve problems
• Inability to make judgments such as dressing for the weather
• Difficulty with understanding or learning new information
• Speaking, reading, and writing are difficult, but individuals can usually read and understand short phrases, especially common ones.
• Individuals can be disoriented or confused even in familiar surroundings, occasionally forgetting names of people close to them.
• Beginning to experience significant behavioral symptoms such as anxiety, suspiciousness, hallucinations, or delusions
• They can still remember things that happened long ago and recognize people from early in their life.
• They still recognize their own face.
• They can interpret simple sensory experiences .
• Walking and mobility are usually not difficult.
• They can usually still eat and use the toilet without assistance.
• Individuals can make decisions requiring a simple yes/no and either/or judgment

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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When To See A Doctor

Forgetfulness and memory problems dont automatically point to dementia. These are normal parts of aging and can also occur due to other factors, such as fatigue. Still, you shouldnt ignore the symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing a number of dementia symptoms that arent improving, talk with a doctor.

They can refer you to a neurologist who can examine you or your loved ones physical and mental health and determine whether the symptoms result from dementia or another cognitive problem. The doctor may order:

• a complete series of memory and mental tests
• a neurological exam
• brain imaging tests

If youre concerned about your forgetfulness and dont already have a neurologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Dementia is more common in people over the age of 65, but it can also affect younger people. Early onset of the disease can begin when people are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. With treatment and early diagnosis, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain mental function. The treatments may include medications, cognitive training, and therapy.

Possible causes of dementia include:

• Alzheimers disease, which is the leading cause of dementia
• brain damage due to injury or stroke

Disorientation In Time And Place

We all sometimes forget the day of the week or where we are going momentarily but people with dementia can become lost in familiar places such as the road they live in, forget where they are or how they got there, and not know how to get back home. Someone who has dementia may also confuse night and day.

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Early Signs Of Dementia Checklist

Signs of early onset dementia usually affect people in their 50s and early 60s. But is it really a dementia sign or is it just a something we do as we get older?

As dementia is a progressive neurological disorder, there are many stages and dementia symptoms. The changes are gradual, and this may give your parent time to receive an early diagnosis and to slow down or prevent the disease from progressing.

Fortunately, the first signs of dementia can be spotted before the symptoms make a big impact on day-to-day living and overall quality of life. For more information on the various stages of dementia, download our free and comprehensive dementia guide.

Sometimes dementia diagnosis can be difficult as there is no one simple test to carry out and early symptoms can be similar to the age-related changes listed above. Here are 10 early signs of Dementia to look out for.

Difficulty Completing Normal Tasks

A subtle shift in the ability to complete normal tasks may indicate that someone has early dementia. This usually starts with difficulty doing more complex tasks like balancing a checkbook or playing games that have a lot of rules.

Along with the struggle to complete familiar tasks, they may struggle to learn how to do new things or follow new routines.

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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.

Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

In the early stages the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be very subtle. However, it often begins with lapses in memory and difficulty in finding the right words for everyday objects.

Other symptoms may include:

• Persistent and frequent memory difficulties, especially of recent events
• Vagueness in everyday conversation
• Apparent loss of enthusiasm for previously enjoyed activities
• Taking longer to do routine tasks
• Forgetting well-known people or places
• Inability to process questions and instructions
• Deterioration of social skills
• Emotional unpredictability

Symptoms vary and the disease progresses at a different pace according to the individual and the areas of the brain affected. A person’s abilities may fluctuate from day to day, or even within the one day, becoming worse in times of stress, fatigue or ill-health.

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A Personal Alarm Built With Dementia In Mind

If you care for someone with dementia, you may want to consider a system like the CPR Guardian Smartwatch. This light and stylish watch is often preferred by elderly relatives who are used to wearing a watch every day. The CPR Guardian can pair with a carers smartphone, enabling them to find out the wearers GPS location and communicate with the wearer directly through the watch. The watch also comes with an SOS button that alerts the carer directly when pressed. It can even monitor the wearers heart rate! All of these features mean that there is always a way to keep track of your relative with dementia, make sure theyre okay, and be alerted if there is ever a problem.

Sponsored by CPR Guardian

Discussing Dementia Symptoms With Dr Alex Bailey

In a new episode of the Age Space Podcast, we talk to Dr Alex Bailey, an old age psychiatrist working in Westminster, sharing his thoughts and advice on dementia. This includes identifying the early signs of dementia, details of memory services, supporting those with dementia to live well, psychological therapies, supporting carers and much more. Listen to the dementia explained podcast.

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