You’re sitting at the dinner table with your family members when suddenly your grandpa calls you the wrong name. At first you just brush it off, but then you notice he seems to call everyone the wrong name and look genuinely confused when somebody corrects him. This could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease which negatively affects cognitive function. Adults 65 and older are typically more at-risk for developing Alzheimer’s and unfortunately, the disease only worsens as time goes on. If you’re worried that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s, there are 10 early signs and symptoms to look out for.
Early Signs
10 early signs and symptoms to look out for
Memory Loss
If your loved one is often forgetting important dates, repeatedly asking the same questions, relying more on family members to handle things they used to handle themselves, and forgetting information as soon as they’ve learned it; this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Occasionally forgetting names or appointments but remembering later is considered normal.
Difficulty Problem-Solving & Planning
When it comes to numbers, a person living with early Alzheimer’s may have trouble concentrating and managing finances, resulting in taking much longer to complete tasks than usual.
Difficulty Completing Simple Tasks
e.g., Driving in a familiar location can suddenly become unfamiliar.
Confusion with Time or Place
Your loved one may not remember what day of the week it is or have any recollection of where they are. This worsens with disease progression to the point where it can become dangerous to leave your love one unattended for extensive periods of time. Forgetting what day it is occasionally is normal, but people suffering from Alzheimer’s will become completely unaware of time.
Vision Problems or Difficulty Determining Space
Driving becomes severely difficult when a person’s vision and sense of space is negatively affected by Alzheimer’s. Vision problems tend to occur with age and should be monitored regularly.
Impaired Speech or Writing
Holding verbal or written conversations becomes challenging. Sometimes the wrong words are used to describe an object, vocabulary is not as strong, and repetition occurs often.
Losing Items
A common step people follow when they lose something is retracing their steps in hopes of locating the lost item. However, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will be unable to retrace their steps and may even accuse other people of stealing their lost items.
Poor Judgement
This often relates to decisions regarding finances and personal hygiene.
Social/Work Withdrawal
Socializing becomes more difficult, resulting in withdrawal from hobbies and social activities.
Personality/Mood Changes
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s may become more confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, anxious, or easily upset with others.
There are three stages of Alzheimer’s: mild, moderate, and severe. It’s important to note how symptoms can often overlap making it more difficult to identify which stage is prevalent.
Mild
• Difficulty performing tasks in social/work settings, remembering names and/or words, and staying organized/planning
• Losing common objects often
• Forgetting material that was just read
Moderate
• Forgetting personal history, significant events, personal information such as address, phone number, etc.
• Shift in sleep patterns
• Wandering
• Exhibiting compulsive behaviors and personality changes
• Withdrawing from social/work activities
• Difficulty controlling bladder
• Requiring assistance with daily functions such as getting dressed
Severe
• Loss of awareness
• Mobility is severely affected (e.g., walking, sitting, swallowing, talking, etc.)
• Requires 24/7 care
If your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help immediately for a proper diagnosis. In the event the diagnosis is dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory impairment, assisted living and memory care could be beneficial. Facilities equipped with 24/7 nursing care, individualized care plans, in-house Geriatricians, and plenty of cognitive stimulation through a 24/7 activities calendar will ensure peace and comfort for your loved one in a safe homelike environment.
Assisted living can be a difficult topic to discuss with family members, and we are here to help in any way possible. If you think your loved one could benefit from our memory care services or other care options, please contact us for more information. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/
Everyone ages differently. While some age-related changes are inevitable, such as slower reflexes and vision challenges, other issues can vary greatly from person to person. Lifestyle and to a lesser degree, genetics, are key determinants in how healthy you are at every age.
This is important information to keep in mind as you search for the best Assisted Living Facility in Bel Air North, MD – whether for yourself, a spouse, or aging parents. It might be that a senior is active and independent at the time of a move, but what happens when needs change?
Moving is tough at any age, but there are more obstacles and challenges for older adults. This is why when you do move during your retirement years, you want to make sure that you only do it once. Understanding what types of care a senior assisted living community offers and what happens if care needs change over time are important issues to address before making a big decision to relocate at assisted living facility in Harford County area. This includes if one parent needs more or different care than another.
Assisted Living in Bel Air North: Some older adults and their families find assisted living to be the best of two worlds. Residents appreciate the independence of having their own private living space but do so knowing that services and medical care are available 24/7. They can receive assistance with personal care, housekeeping, medication management, toileting, and more. That’s in addition to meals and wellness programs.
Enhanced Care in Bel Air North: With multiple levels of care, an enhanced care facility will be able to adjust treatment as medical needs change to facilitate easy transitions from assisted living to enhanced care. Enhanced Care will cover the spectrum of care needs that fall between Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing. It’s always good to ask whether or not the facility has enhanced care capabilities in your search for finding the best assisted living facility in Bel Air North.
Memory Care in Bel Air North: Designed to allow adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia to enjoy their best quality of life, memory care programs are typically a part of an assisted living community. Specialized caregivers, dedicated dining services, and a safe, supportive environment are standard. Memory-focused daily activities allow residents to remain engaged and active.
At each Assisted Living in Bel Air, MD area you visit, ask a sales associate how they handle changes in care level needs after a senior becomes a resident. Are different types of care available in the same Community? Can residents move from one care level to another care level seamlessly?
For instance, if one person begins to need more help with ambulation or incontinence than their partner, the couple can still remain a part of the same senior community without having to split up or move again. Even if these changes require separate living arrangements, they will still be in an environment that is familiar to them surrounded by team members and other residents that they know.
Moving is difficult at any age, but it’s especially hard as a senior. So always look for an assisted living facility, which has unique levels of care. This will help to cut down on any of the unnecessary moves that could prohibit seniors from living to their fullest potential. To learn more about how the continuum of care plan works, please contact us for more information.
Testimonial
Forest Hill Heights Senior Living is an all-inclusive assisted living community where seniors can live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life in Harford County, Maryland.
Testimonial
Forest Hill Heights Senior Living is an all-inclusive assisted living community where seniors can live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life in Harford County, Maryland.
Video
Are you starting to get worried about Mom or Dad being by themselves at home? Watch the video to familiarizing yourself with the signs.
Assisted Living
Video
Watch the video to learn the main difference between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes.
AL vs NH
1st Main Difference
2nd Main Differences
3rd Main Differences
4th Main Difference