It is common for someone to see their parent, grandparent, or other older relative infrequently. However, for those who have frequent contact with elderly family members, it is often difficult to notice or recognize various warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. Early detection, treatment, and intervention with these patients provides the best opportunity for support, treatment, and planning.
The Alzheimer’s Association has recently updated its ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to assist in the early diagnosis of this disease. They are as follows:
- Memory changes that disrupt daily life.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things or losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
If your family member or friend has developed any of these signs, it may be time to take him or her to a certified gerontologist or other physician specializing in treating Alzheimer’s or elder patients. The sooner the treatment is started, better the opportunity to at least slow down the progression of the disease. There are many support groups and other services available both nationally and locally. Call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
Hyman G. Darling
This is very useful. Adult children often bring in a parent with many of these symptoms with no clue that that parent may have Alzheimer's. Then the issue is whether that parent is legally competent at that point to do estate planning or is a guardianship or conservatorship in order.
Posted by: James Smith | December 21, 2010 at 08:58 AM
I think my mother may be showing signs of Alzheimers. When does being forgetful and "dingy" go from old age to Alzheimers?
Posted by: estates and trusts | January 21, 2011 at 01:51 PM