Identifying Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease in your Loved One

What are some signs of Alzheimer’s? What do I do about it?

Signs of Alzheimer’s disease vary, but some of the most common ones include:

• Memory loss. Forgetting newly learned information, or even the identities of family and friends.
• Poor judgement. More difficulty with making decisions, such as 
• Confusion about time and place. Wandering, suddenly not recognizing current location. Forgetting important dates or appointments.
• Mood and personality changes. This can include increased bouts of depression, anxiety, mood swings, aggression, and more.
• Misplacing items and inability to retrace steps. A person may lose an item in a strange place or accuse somebody else of stealing it due to inability to remember its location.

As aforementioned, some of these signs may appear as normal difficulties that arise with age, but it is important to consider the effect on your loved one’s life. If you find that your loved one is exhibiting any of these signs and they are negatively affecting their life, consult a doctor. A doctor can determine the cause of these symptoms through different tests.

What happens after my loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease?

Upon completion of the tests, the doctor may reveal the rationale behind the diagnosis, severity, and next steps for treatment and care. Sometimes you may receive a referral to a specialist who will develop a specific care plan for your loved one.

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is life changing not just for the person diagnosed, but for their family and friends as well. You may feel a myriad of emotions immediately after receiving news about somebody you love. While it is important to seek next steps about your recently diagnosed loved one, it is equally as important to determine next steps for yourself. Allowing time to grieve and seeking emotional support is crucial, as the Alzheimer’s journey can be uncertain or even frightening.

What treatment is available?

Unfortunately, there is no cure currently available for Alzheimer’s Disease, but treatments exist to slow the progression of symptoms. Various medications help to slow symptoms, though you may want to consider further methods to support and improve the quality of life of your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

If you would like to learn more about care options for your loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, contact us for a free consultation.