What Is Alzheimer's? The Ten Signs You Should Be Aware Of.

Working in the Home Health/Hospice/Nursing Facility arena has given me ample experience dealing with patients suffering from Alzheimer's as well as their loved ones, family and friends who are trying to help them. Many times I have been asked..."Is this normal?", to which I have directed them to a sign I had in my office that states, "Normal around here is just a setting on the dryer."  

I realize that Alzheimer's can be one of the most frustrating disease processes for all involved and thought  I would share some information today that can help shed some light on the situation and possibly help those in a caregiver's situation be more understanding.

 

Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The Alzheimer's Association website, www.alz.org , is a trusted resource for Alzheimer's information and support. for those dealing with the disease.  They have listed 10 warning signs of  Alzheimer's that I think everyone should be aware of:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially recently learned information.  Don't confuse this with normal age-related memory loss such as forgetting names or appointments but recalling the information later.

2.Challenges in planning or solving problems.  This may be something as simple as following a familiar recipe or keeping track of bills. I experienced this many times with my Nonna and what used to be enjoying a meal at her home became somewhat unnerving as when I would ask how she made the juice taste so good she would respond, "I'll never tell!"

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. This could be as simple as forgetting the rules to a game or having trouble driving to a familiar location. 

4.Confusion with time or place. Many with Alzheimer's can lose track of time, seasons and dates. Sometimes even forgetting how they got somewhere or what they are there for.  Nonna called this the "Hereafter".  She would say, "I get somewhere and think....now what am I hereafter?"

5.Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This could show up as trouble reading or judging distances.  In terms of perception, they could pass a mirror, see their reflection and think someone else is in the room.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.  People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining in a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and not remember what they were talking about or even call things by a different name, whether related or not.  For instance: calling a watch a hand clock.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Putting things away in the wrong place and being unable to retrace steps is common. Sometimes, the person with Alzheimer's will even accuse others of "stealing" things when they can't find the misplaced item.

8. Decreased or poor judgment. Those with Alzheimer's may start to have poor hygiene, not bathing or changing clothes.  They may have poor judgment with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. In one of the support groups I facilitate, this has become a huge problem for one family as their father is still in control of his finances but is making donations to groups all over the place without recollection!

9. Withdrawal from work or other social activities. The person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from social activities, work projects or sports.  They may even forget how to complete a project that was a favorite hobby.

10. Changes in mood or personality. They can become confused, anxious, depressed, angry and fearful, especially when not in familiar surroundings.  Many times, caregivers take this so personally when it is not intended that way at all.

I have included typical age related changes here for comparison.

Signs of Alzheimer's	Typical age-related changes
Poor judgment and decision making	Making a bad decision once in a while
Inability to manage a budget	Missing a monthly payment
Losing track of the date or the season	Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Difficulty having a conversation	Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them	Losing things from time to time

When dealing with someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, or that you suspect may have the beginning signs of the disease, my best advice is to meet them where they are at.  Arguing a point with someone with Alzheimer's will only wear everyone out.  You cannot change their reality, but you can keep daily life on a more even keel by just validating what they are telling you and moving on.

Thank you so much for what you do as caregivers and family members of those suffering with Alzheimer's  Please remember that there are resources to help you.  It is okay to ask for help, especially from those well trained and experienced in the care of those suffering with disease.