5 Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

It’s happened to all of us. You walk into a room and can’t remember why you’re there. Or you struggle to find the right word in casual conversation. Most of us just laugh it off; after all, we are getting older. But if the same thing happens to your elderly mom or dad, it may have you concerned.

Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s. The disease is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people by 2050.

So how do you know if your parents’ memory lapses are more than just old age? Here are five signs that it could be Alzheimer’s disease.

• • Mom doesn’t know when she is supposed to go back to the doctor, despite being told the details of the appointment several times. Dad can’t remember if he has taken his pills. Memory loss is one of the most common indications of Alzheimer’s, especially forgetting things you’ve recently learned.

• • Dad gets lost driving home from the grocery store; Mom can’t recall how to make her famous banana bread. When seniors have difficulty with familiar tasks, it could be an early warning sign.

• • Dad puts his keys away – in the refrigerator.  A person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places and not be able to retrace his steps to find them.

• • Mom stops in the middle of what she is saying with no idea how to continue. She refers to her watch as a “hand-clock.” People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following a conversation, repeat themselves or struggle to find simple words.

• • Dad pays $1,500 to get the duct work on his house cleaned because a door-to-door salesman said it needed to be done. Mom often forgets to shower and insists on wearing a sundress in winter. Impaired or poor judgment can be a sign of Alzheimer’s.

If you notice these or other concerning changes in your elderly parent, it’s time to call the doctor. When Alzheimer’s is detected early, patients get the maximum benefits from treatments that may slow the progression of the disease.

Caregivers from SYNERGY HomeCare are not only trained to spot the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, but they also work with patients who have been diagnosed. Caregivers can help Alzheimer’s patients remain safe while living at home. Caregivers make sure patients have social interaction and mind-stimulating activities. If you choose to provide care to your loved one with Alzheimer’s,  hiring an outside caregiver to provide respite is always a great backup plan.