16/Nov/2008
Recognizing the signs…
November is National Alzheimer’s Month
By June Knickerbocker, RN
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November the National Alzheimer’s Disease Month in 1983 to recognize progress against the disease and show understanding and support for those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association has used the event to raise awareness, share the experiences of those with the disease, and promote research for treatments, preventions and a cure.
Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience severe difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning. The symptoms impact their work, social activities and family life.
It is critical for people with Alzheimer’s and their families to receive information, care and support as early as possible. To help family members and health care professionals recognize warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a checklist of common symptoms:
Memory loss. One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete everyday tasks like preparing a meal, using a household appliance or participating in a lifelong hobby.
Problems with language. A person with Alzheimer’s disease often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making his speech or writing hard to understand.
Disorientation with time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can forget where they are and how they got there.
Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress without regard to the weather, wearing several shirts or blouses on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather.
Problems with abstract thinking. Balancing a checkbook may be hard when the task is more complicated than usual. Someone with Alzheimer’s could completely forget what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them.
Misplacing things. Alzheimer’s disease can make people put belongings in unusual places.
Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
Changes in personality. Alzheimer’s disease can cause a person to become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual or losing the drive to participate in usual activities.
If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of dementia diseases is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.
For more information, contact Homewatch Caregivers at (225) 246-8537 or visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com or www.alz.org.
November is National Alzheimer’s Month
By June Knickerbocker, RN
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November the National Alzheimer’s Disease Month in 1983 to recognize progress against the disease and show understanding and support for those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s Association has used the event to raise awareness, share the experiences of those with the disease, and promote research for treatments, preventions and a cure.
Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience severe difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning. The symptoms impact their work, social activities and family life.
It is critical for people with Alzheimer’s and their families to receive information, care and support as early as possible. To help family members and health care professionals recognize warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a checklist of common symptoms:
Memory loss. One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete everyday tasks like preparing a meal, using a household appliance or participating in a lifelong hobby.
Problems with language. A person with Alzheimer’s disease often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making his speech or writing hard to understand.
Disorientation with time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can forget where they are and how they got there.
Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress without regard to the weather, wearing several shirts or blouses on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather.
Problems with abstract thinking. Balancing a checkbook may be hard when the task is more complicated than usual. Someone with Alzheimer’s could completely forget what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them.
Misplacing things. Alzheimer’s disease can make people put belongings in unusual places.
Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
Changes in personality. Alzheimer’s disease can cause a person to become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual or losing the drive to participate in usual activities.
If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of dementia diseases is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.
For more information, contact Homewatch Caregivers at (225) 246-8537 or visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com or www.alz.org.
