Memory Loss In Seniors: What's Normal?
How can you tell if forgetfulness is the result of normal age-related memory changes or if it's the result of something more? This is a very important distinction to make, and the earlier the better. In addition to consulting with your physician, here are 10 common symptoms of Alzheimer's to guide you:
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks - People with dementia can find it hard to plan or complete seemingly simple tasks, including forgetting how to prepare their favorite meal or how to call a friend.
- Memory loss - Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia.
- Problems with language - People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand.
- Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
- Poor or decreased judgment - Those with Alzheimer's may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers.
- Problems with abstract thinking - Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.
- Misplacing things - A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
- Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger and aggression - for no apparent reason.
- Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
- Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, consider speaking with your physician about it. There are many viable options for allowing seniors experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer's to live a healthy, happy life.