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Recognizing the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that Alzheimer’s is not a disease of old people only. Younger people are being diagnosed all the time.
There are reported and documented cases of men as young as 28 and even an unconfirmed report of a 9 year old girl.
At first it is very easy to ignore the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, putting it down to -
- Just being forgetful
- Having too much other stuff on the mind
- Lazy – easier to have someone else look for things
- Age
People with Alzheimer’s disease experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning.
These problems are severe enough to have an impact on an individual’s work, social activities and family life.
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in New York has developed a checklist of common symptoms to help you recognize the difference between normal age-related memory changes and possible warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Below is a basic outline of the differences.
Someone with normal age-related memory changes
- Forgets part of an experience
- Often remembers later
- Is usually able to follow written/spoken directions
- Is usually able to use notes as reminders
- Is usually able to care for self
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease
- Forgets entire experiences
- Rarely remembers later
- Is gradually unable to follow written/spoken directions
- Is gradually unable to use notes as reminders
- Is gradually unable to care for self
For an in-depth look at what is normal and what could indicate Alzheimer’s disease CLICK HERE
There are also other health issues that can manifest symptoms like Alzheimer’s disease and this is why it is so important to seek medical advice if you are at all concerned about a loved one’s behaviour.
- Small strokes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Thyroid gland problems
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Grief
- Vision or Hearing loss
- Alcohol use
If you do not wish to alarm your loved one by telling them that you suspect that they could have Alzheimer’s arrange an appointment with there Doctor and initially go alone and discuss your concerns.
A professional and caring Doctor will then make an appointment for him/her and see if your concerns are justified without alarming the potential sufferer.