Seven Surprising Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Care in Meadow West FL

Alzheimer's Care in Meadow West FL

Most people know that memory changes are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but the earliest signs are sometimes much more subtle than that. Detecting Alzheimer’s disease earlier helps families to get medical advice and care much more quickly. It’s also easier to line up other forms of Alzheimer’s care services that can greatly improve quality of life.

Difficulty with Routine Tasks

If seniors start being challenged with completing tasks that have always been second nature, that can indicate that changes are happening in their brains. These tasks might include forgetting how to operate familiar home appliances, struggling with basic chores, or having trouble handling life admin tasks like budgeting, arranging appointments, etc. Everyone forgets things now and again, but these routine tasks are ones that often don’t rely completely on memory alone.

Unexplained Personality or Mood Changes

It’s really difficult for families to watch someone they love to go through mood or personality changes. This can happen because of the parts of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Mood swings don’t always mean that it’s Alzheimer’s disease immediately, but they’re definitely something to pay attention to.

Trouble with Words

Anyone can experience trouble with a word or two now and again. But in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, seniors may start to have difficulty with language. They may start to repeat themselves or stop in the middle of a sentence because they lost track of where they were going. These changes can be an indicator of cognitive changes that could be related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Trouble Making Decisions

When seniors suddenly make choices or decisions that don’t make sense to you, it could be due to an unmet need that the individual is unable to communicate. This could be a concern of cognitive decline and should be brought up to their healthcare provider. Alzheimer’s disease affects areas of the brain that are related to judgment and making choices. These lapses in judgment can mean that seniors may be having more trouble processing information and applying logic.

Misplacing Items in Odd Places

Who hasn’t lost or misplaced their keys before? For someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, misplaced items can take on a new importance. Seniors may start to put things in locations that just don’t make sense to their loved ones. It’s difficult for them to find those items again because the placement was not where they would have normally put them. Having help from a home care provider who specializes in dementia care can assist with organization and safeguarding belongings for individuals.

Withdrawing from Social Activities

Seniors may feel as if something isn’t quite right and not mention concerns or changes, they are experiencing. They might start feeling awkward or embarrassed about being around other people, so they may start to withdraw from social activities. This leads to isolation, which can make the changes they’re experiencing even worse and more difficult. Spending time with a compassionate caregiver can help reduce those feelings of isolation by engaging in meaningful activities.

Changes in Spatial Awareness

Some seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease find that they have more trouble with spatial awareness which is the ability to understand the relationship between them and objects around them. This can cause them to have difficulty driving safely and therefore may need to have discussions on the decision to give up driving. Seniors may also have more trouble reading, avoiding obstacles, and engaging in other activities.

The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be confusing and surprising for seniors and family members. Having help from Alzheimer’s care services gives seniors a chance to work with someone who understands the challenges they’re experiencing.

References

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care at home in Meadow West, FL, please contact the caring staff at Homewatch CareGivers of Dr. Phillips today! (407) 214-2065

Homewatch CareGivers of Dr. Phillips provides exceptional home care for seniors in Clarcona , Pine Hills, Florida Center North, Hiawassee, Lake Buena Vista, Metro West, Dr. Philips, Windermere, Meadow Woods, Lake Nona, Hunters Creek, Buenaventura Lake, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and surrounding areas.

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