Nobody likes the idea of getting older and less able to care for themselves. This can be difficult to watch happening to other people, especially loved ones who may not seem as infallible as they once were. Memory problems develop in many people as they get older but how do you spot the warning signs that your loved one might be suffering from Alzheimer’s?
Short-Term Memory Is Affected
Alzheimer’s affects short-term rather than long-term memory. Your elderly loved one may forget where they put their keys or what they had for lunch, but they can remember events that happened years ago like they occurred yesterday.
Communication Becomes More Difficult
You may find that your elderly loved one has problems remembering the right words to use or what context to use them in. They may not be able to express themselves as articulately as they once could. It is common for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s to stop in the middle of a sentence because they can’t remember what they were going to say next. Conversations become more of a challenge as it can take longer for a sufferer to express their thoughts. Repetition may become more frequent as your loved one may not remember that they have already told you something.
Mood Swings Occur Regularly
Degenerative issues such as Alzheimer’s and dementia can be indicated by mood swings. This may present itself as anger or depression. A change of personality may cause an outgoing person to become more withdrawn or a quiet person to become more talkative. Your elderly loved one may become more anxious or nervous if their routine is disturbed or they find themselves in an unfamiliar environment. They may even start suffering from apathy. They can lose interest in their favorite activities, and they no longer want to be sociable.
Tasks Become More Difficult
This is more noticeable with everyday tasks that your loved one used to manage easily. For example, you may become aware that their house looks less tidy than it used to, or they have become more unkempt. This may be because they have started to find these tasks more difficult to manage. If your loved one starts to find their daily lives difficult it may be time to consider Alzheimer’s memory care for them.
Risk-Taking Becomes More Common
Your elderly loved one may never have been a risk-taker. However, Alzheimer’s can cause a lack of judgment, and this leads to them taking more risks such as when crossing roads or driving. They may take more risks with their finances too and spend or give away more than they used to.
These changes can indicate that your elderly loved one is suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s. However, other health issues could lead to these behaviors. If you are concerned that they could be suffering from a degenerative memory loss condition, it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional.
