Signs of Dementia Are Often First Noticed Around The Holidays. Early Detection Makes a Difference.
Family get-togethers around the holidays are an important time to take a closer look at the physical and mental health of elderly family and friends as it is during these less frequent gatherings that behavior changes are often noticed.
It’s often difficult to know the difference between age-related changes and dementia, but strange behavior or memory problems that affect daily living are not typical signs of aging. Here are some signs to look for so that you know the difference between normal aging and potentially more serious problems.
10 Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Changes in memory that disrupt daily life
- Problems planning events or solving problems
- Difficulty completing normal everyday tasks
- Not sure what day it is or where they are
- Difficulty understanding visual images or judging space
- Problems with finding the right words or speaking
- Misplacing things and forgetting what they were doing
- Poor judgment or decision making
- Becoming less social or active
- An unnatural change in mood or personality
Remember, early diagnosis and detection are very important as they provide the best opportunity for treatment and support. An early diagnosis also provides family members more time to plan for future caregiving solutions.
It is estimated that nearly every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease and nearly 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease will be diagnosed this year alone.
If you notice something strange while visiting with loved ones, take some time to notice what you see and confirm with other family or friends about the different behavior. Talking to other family members who aren’t around as often is a good way to gain perspective on cognitive decline. Sometimes those who are closest do not notice the changes since they can be very gradual.
It is sometimes hard to know the difference between age-related changes and dementia but if you see any of the 10 signs listed above, encourage family members to get a professional opinion. A neutral third party often helps take some emotion out of a very difficult situation as the patient and other family members may be hesitant to admit to dementia symptoms.
And finally, always stay engaged and keep communicating with family and friends to provide as much loving care as possible.
If someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 warning signs, please see a doctor to find the cause. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 toll-free Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
