Known as the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease is
associated with problems of severe memory loss, thinking, and behavior
that interfere with a person’s everyday life. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. It is a progressive disease
that, as of now, has no cure.
According to 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, North Carolina
is estimated to have over 170,00 seniors (65+) diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
this year. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s
or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Alzheimer’s is a disease that, unfortunately, can only be diagnosed
after it has caused significant damage to the brain. If detected early,
it can be treated early, improving a person’s quality of life by
moderating the symptoms that occur with the disease. Whether you’re
an older adult concerned for your own health or that of a family member,
or caregiver caring for older adult, it’s important you know the
early signs of Alzheimer’s.
Here are 10 Common Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s:
- Memory changes that disrupt daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
If you have any of these signs or notice them in someone you know, schedule
an appointment with your primary care provider about appropriate treatments.
Unsure if the changes you’re noticing are signs of Alzheimer’s
or just typical age-related memory loss?
The Alzheimer’s Association
provides this helpful side-by-side comparison:
Signs of Alzheimer's
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Typical age-related changes
|
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Poor judgment and decision making
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Making a bad decision once in a while
|
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Inability to manage a budget
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Missing a monthly payment
|
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Losing track of the date or the season
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Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
|
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Difficulty having a conversation
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Sometimes forgetting which word to use
|
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Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps
to find them
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Losing things from time to time
|
Other Alzheimer’s and Caregiver Resources:
Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)