If you are concerned about an aging loved one’s memory, you may have found yourself wondering if he or she has Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other behavioral symptoms of memory loss. You aren’t unwarranted in your fears. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and by 2050 an estimated 14 million Americans will live with Alzheimer’s according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Discussing the possibility of Alzheimer’s and dementia with your loved one or facing it yourself can be difficult. Looping in your family doctor and your loved ones is an ideal starting point, whether you believe yourself or your loved one is the one afflicted. These conversations and ones like it can be difficult, and often it’s suggested to take notes on common behaviors corresponding to Alzheimer’s and dementia that you or your loved one may experience. Below are eight of the most common behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s and what they look like. You can use these as guidelines for the kind of information you should take note of, and may be useful in the future for discussing memory loss with your loved ones or doctor to start your formal diagnosis.
The Eight Alzheimer’s Behaviors
- Repeating Oneself – Have you noticed your loved one repeating the same stories over and over again or asking the same questions? Have they begun to declare the same thing repeatedly?
- Poor and Impaired Judgment – Have you noticed any situations in which your loved one has made a poor or rash decision? Any unusual behaviors or excessive spending? Has he or she shown a poor understanding of safety concerns?
- Difficulty Learning Something New – While it is common for the elderly to take a bit of time to learn new technologies, is your loved one taking too much time? Are they having trouble learning new simple tasks?
- Reduced Interest in Hobbies – Have you noticed that your parent or loved one no longer seems interested in the activities that he or she once loved? Any change in hobbies or leisure activities should be noted, especially if it is sudden and without reason.
- Problems Managing Finances – If your loved one has problems managing expenses, bills, or taxes, it may be worth noting, especially if he or she was previously diligent in doing so.
- Forgetting the Date – Does your loved one have problems remembering the year, month, or day? If it happens frequently, it is worth taking note of.
- Problems Keeping Appointments and Commitments – Has your loved one missed appointments or forgotten events? Everyone forgets things every once in a while, but if it happens repeatedly, it is a good idea to document when it began and the frequency.
- Struggles with Thinking or Memory – It is normal for the elderly to have a memory lapse every once in a while, but if your loved one seems to have a problem every day, they could be suffering from a disease such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
After you have taken note of your parent’s or loved one’s behavior, it is best to present this information to his or her doctor. There are many options available to help them, including our memory care facilities in Tampa. Contact us at (877) 480-2244 today for more information.
