Alzheimer's Association Shares Tips to Navigate the Holiday Season
Denver,CO (PRWEB) November 27, 2014 -- In addition to a new dessert recipe or family vacation photos, bring an important gift home this holiday season and become educated about the warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Visiting with relatives over the holidays may raise questions about the physical and cognitive health of family members. Although some change in cognitive ability can occur with age, serious memory problems are not a part of normal aging. Recognizing the difference between normal aging and more serious problems can help you identify when it may be time for your relative to see a doctor.
The Alzheimer’s Association has seen a rise in calls to its 24-hour helpline, 800-272-3900, during and after the holiday season when people return home and visit with friends and family whom they may not see as frequently during the year. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages anyone to call their helpline if anyone has a question or doubt about the state of an aging family member or friend.
According to Linda Mitchell, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, ”Recognizing early signs of Alzheimer’s during the holidays is one of the first steps people can take toward an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Seeking information could lead to a diagnosis of a condition that is treatable or allow the person with the disease and family members to find appropriate treatment, begin care, support and financial planning and even participate in a clinical trial.”
Every individual may experience one or more of the 10 Warning Signs in different degrees (see below). If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.
Alzheimer’s Association 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
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 aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on one’s own.
What's typical: Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
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 or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's typical: Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
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 at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's typical: Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4. Confusion with time or 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.
What's typical: Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
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. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What's typical: Vision changes related to cataracts.
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 problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's typical: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's typical: Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
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, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's typical: Making a bad decision once in a while.
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.
What's typical: Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
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.
What's typical: Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care and support services. Following are additional benefits to receiving a diagnosis as early as possible:
Benefits of an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
- Benefit from treatments that may improve symptoms and help maintain a level of independence longer
- Have more time to plan for the future
- Participate in decisions about their care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters
- Develop a relationship with doctors and care partners
- Benefit from care and support services, making it easier for them and their family to manage the disease
Anyone with questions about Alzheimer’s disease and/or seeking information should contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 toll-free helpline at 800-272-3900. Experts are available to take calls from individuals concerned with their own cognitive health, as well as from family members and friends who may be concerned about a loved one and seeking resources.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter is the premier source of information and support for the more than 63,000 Coloradoans with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers. Through its statewide network of offices, the Alzheimer’s Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no cost to families. The Alzheimer’s Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. Contributions help fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado is proud to be a Denver Broncos flagship community partner. For information call the Alzheimer’s Association 24 Hour bilingual Helpline at 800-272-3900, or visit http://www.alz.org/co.
Khristine Rogers, Alzheimer's Association of Colorado, http://www.alz.org/co, +1 303-813-1669, [email protected]
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