As we age, mental function will usually decrease, and one will have difficulty learning new things. In Alzheimer's disease, this forgetfulness goes a step further in negatively impacting one's daily life and the lives around them.
For this reason, identifying the early signs of Alzheimer's is a mostly subjective process, which depends on one's [personal perspective and how well they know the individual with the disease. A medical professional will be able to conclusively diagnose Alzheimer's, but here are some of the signs of the disorder that might make you realize it is time for you or your loved one to get checked out.
Individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's have a hard time with even basic tasks, especially memory recall. Someone may intend to call a friend and forget, or need to attend a social function and fail to show up due to poor memory. This behavior varies depending on how active of a lifestyle that the individual leads, but a noticed increase in memory loss is a sure sign of the disease.
Individuals with Alzheimer's disease can also dress inappropriately for the current situation. For example, they can wear incorrect clothing to a social function or too little clothing in the winter months.
Showers can be dangerous for this reason, and one may sit for hours in a cold bathtub and obtain hypothermia.
Those with Alzheimer's disease may have a hard time remembering to pay their bills or mortgage note on time. In addition, they may lack impulse control when it comes to spending money, making foolish decisions. Control can be improved through therapy, which should allow one to maintain a reasonable level of activity.
A common sign in moderate Alzheimer's disease is listlessness, which can result in an individual showing a lack of interest in life. They may sleep in for hours past their usual waking time or participate in non-demanding activities such as listening to a radio show or static for hours at a time.
Memory loss also becomes a problem with Alzheimer's disease, where an individual forgets places, events, or people more frequently as time progresses. In moderate to severe Alzheimer's, individuals may end up in a place and not remember where they are and how they got there.
These are just a few of the indicators of Alzheimer's disease, and it is important to see a medical professional if you or your loved one shows a notable change in behavioral patterns.
Even if this is not a sign of Alzheimer's, it can be a symptom of another neurological disorder. Getting help from your doctor is important if you think you've spotted signs of Alzheimer's, as early management of the disease is an important part of treatment.
