Watch Out for Signs of Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia

By Anna Ruth

Discovering that a family member has the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's will be difficult, but there are lots of resources you can use to make caring for that family member more productive. Your family member will still desire to be alone, and you'll want to select a place that will give you what you need to help them thrive. Here are some vital facts about Alzheimer's that will let you know if you need to find additional treatment.

Alzheimer's and dementia are frequently linked together, since Alzheimer's is the encompassing problem of lost memory, along with other indicators including depression or lack of attention, and on the other hand dementia is the general deterioration of someone's mind. In the beginning of Alzheimer's, you will note that someone will start to forget people's names or frequently used words that are used during normal conversation. When this happens once or twice, you shouldn't worry. But, if you note that your loved one is creating a made-up word to take the place of a word that's slipped their mind, or if they're becoming more and more withdrawn in order to avoid 'messing up' during conversation, you may be witness to the first signs of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Less motivation to finish certain tasks or some changes in personality can be another sign of Alzheimer's and dementia. When a person is experiencing dementia, finishing normal things can be a challenge. This means tasks like making breakfast, tying shoes, and getting dressed in the morning get done less and less as the condition progresses. The brain slows down, and neurotransmitters do not do their job as often. If you notice that your parent or grandparent now puts things in strange places around the home, such as putting a flashlight in between sofa cushions, or find a comb in the dishwasher, this could be a sign that it's time to meet with the doctor.

As is progresses through the stages of Alzheimer's and dementia, you might notice that it's becoming impossible for your loved one to organize their feelings and thoughts, and it could be more difficult for him or her to recognize lifelong friends. Once you conference with your health care provider, you will be able to create a treatment plan to help to meet their needs. Typically that the majority of patients live around 10 years after the initial diagnosis, but some will live much longer.

To learn more about Alzheimer's and dementia proper care, visit www.alz.org. - 31803

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