3 Signs To Look For In A Loved One With Alzheimer's
Having an aging parent can be hard. The entire family might feel a need to care for them. One of the most common illnesses that take people in their elderly years is Alzheimer's disease. This disease has no cure and can become very straining on a caretaker. This is why it is important that you know that early warning signs of Alzheimer's so that you can get your loved one help.
1. Extreme Mood and Personality Changes
One of the first things that you might see happen to your loved one is a change in their mood or personality. Someone who was once loving, sensitive and kind might become critical, snappy and angry. In fact, they could be happy and cheerful one minute and confused and angry the next.
This symptom is very hard on both the family and the individual with the illness. The family might feel like they no longer know their loved one, and the person with the illness may feel like they have no control over their emotions. Just remember that it is the illness that is making your loved one act out. They still are the same person they have always been they just need medical attention.
2. Confusion and Forgetting
Alzheimer's attacks the brain. First and foremost it will attack the person's memory. You might notice that the individual is no longer able to remember certain things that they usually know. For example, they might forget how to get to the grocery store, important dates, or where they are. In fact, some people forget things almost immediately. You could call them in the morning and tell them about an event that day, and still hours later they don't remember the phone call or the event.
This symptom can be dangerous for the individual. They could easily get lost, forget where they are, or miss important things. For this reason, you should get them help as soon as possible.
3. Difficulty with Language
You might notice that your loved one is no longer able to talk coherently. They might forget certain words, or say nonsensical things. They could even jump around from topic to topic so that you can't follow their train of thought. This is normal to lose the ability to converse normally, but with some medication and medical treatment you might be able to prolong their ability to have conversations.
By recognizing these early signs you can protect your loved ones who might be showing the early signs of Alzheimer's. Talk to professionals who know how to work with individuals with Alzheimer's at places like Diamond View Assisted Living.
