A lot of people would agree: memory loss seems to be part of aging. Oftentimes, people would joke about forgetting things and getting old. In fact, elderly people can attest that certain memory issues can become a problem, as it disrupts their daily life.

However, how do you, as a family member of an elderly parent, recognize if it’s just simple forgetfulness or already warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Read on to find out.

Is it Forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that causes a person, usually elderly people, to experience a slow decline in their brain’s function, such as memory, reasoning, and thinking. If you notice the following 10 warning signs, schedule with your doctor for a proper Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Disruptive memory loss. One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is asking for the same information over and over, even forgetting something that’s already been said to them earlier. They may also forget important dates and events, such as holidays and birthdays of family members. They may need the help of memory aids or family members to remind them.

2. Having a hard time planning and problem-solving. They start to have difficulty following through with a plan or working with numbers, when they can do it before. They can’t keep track of a familiar recipe or keep track of monthly bills.

3. Daily tasks seem to be a problem.They have trouble accomplishing daily, routinary tasks even if they used to do it many times before. For example, they have a hard time remembering the direction to a familiar location, remembering the rules of a game, or the number of a familiar person.

4. Confusion. They tend to also be confused about time and place. They can’t keep track of seasons and the passage of time. They may also have trouble understanding why something is not happening immediately, making them seem impatient.

5. Vision and spatial problems. They have trouble reading and judging distance and depth. They may also not easily recognize contrasts and colors, which can be dangerous when they’re driving.

6. Conversation problems. They may have a hard time following a conversation. They may also repeat themselves as well as struggle with simple vocabulary.

7. Misplacing things. They may misplace things in unusual places, as well as have a hard time retracing their steps to find them again.

8. Poor judgment. They may have difficulty making good decisions, such as in handling money. They may also pay less attention to their hygiene and personal safety.

9. Withdrawal and isolation. They may remove themselves from people, places, and activities that they used to be preoccupied with.

10. Mood and personality changes. They may have sudden shifts in mood, become confused, paranoid, anxious, and depressed. They can easily get upset, especially when they suddenly feel like they’re out of their comfort zone, which can happen more often.

---

At Blessed Home, our staff are trained to deal with elderly people with Alzheimer’s. We provide them with activities that can help hone their memory and make them feel empowered, while in a social and safe environment.