November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and Family Caregiver Month. Please take time to thank those who devote their time to helping individuals who struggle with this disease. This is also a good opportunity to be reminded about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease as outlined by the Alzheimer's Association.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over, relying on memory aids (such as reminder notes or electronic devices), or needing family members for things they used to handle on their own. This does not mean that if you forget names or appointments, but remember them later you necessarily have Alzheimer's.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe, keeping track of bills, or concentrating.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget, or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Occasionally needing help to use the setting on a microwave or to record a television show is typical, though.
4. Confusion with time and place. People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room instead or realizing that they are the person in the mirror. Cataracts are not related to Alzheimer's and may also cause vision problems.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have consistent problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (such as calling something simple like a "watch" a "hand-clock").
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing.
8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, such as giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced and fear that people may see their symptoms.
10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
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