Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Currently, over 747,000 Canadians have the disease, and at least 44 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is a general term to describe the conditions in which the brain no longer functions properly. It causes memory and behavioural problems, and symptoms will worsen with time. In the beginning stages, the dementia symptoms may be minimal and hardly noticeable, but as the disease causes more harm to the brain, they’ll become much more evident.
Are you concerned about a behavioural change in yourself or someone you love? Knowing the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s could save you a significant amount of anguish. Read on to discover what those are and what you can do to improve the situation.
Disruptive Memory Loss
It’s natural to forget things — particularly as you age. For example, you may forget the name of your daughter’s new cat or to pick up tomato sauce from the grocery store. But it becomes a concern when your lack of memory starts to interfere with your daily life.
Do you frequently forget recently-learned information? Do you regularly lose track of notable names, dates, and events? Are you repeating questions during conversations? Do you rely on post-it notes and smartphone apps to help you remember important (or daily) events? Talk to your doctor right away if any of this resonates with you because you may have early Alzheimer’s disease.
Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
Certain things become second nature as we go through life. Whether it’s driving to the local store or using the same TV remote you’ve had for years — by now, you know how to do such activities instinctively. An early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is showing difficulty with familiar tasks. Have you ever found yourself in a state of confusion while driving, forgetting where you’re going?
Difficulty completing familiar tasks is an early sign that you or your loved one may have Alzheimer’s. Consult with your doctor as soon as you can.
Confusion with Time and Place
Those living with Alzheimer’s can forget dates, seasons, and the passage of time. It can be challenging to understand something if it’s not happening at the exact moment. It’s common for people to forget who they are and how they got there. When such symptoms occur, you must talk to a doctor. You’ll want to learn about treatments for the disease and how to manage the debilitating symptoms.
What To Do
If you’re in the Greater Toronto Area, consider incorporating compassionate dementia care in Toronto from a home healthcare provider into your or your loved one’s healthcare plan. You could benefit from a registered nursing and caregiving team right in the comfort of your home.
Find a home healthcare provider that offers specialized dementia care to help you or your loved one with your precise needs. With at-home dementia care, you won’t have to worry about feeling lost or confused because you’ll always have someone there to assist you, day or night.
To think of Alzheimer’s disease is undoubtedly daunting, but with the right tools, you or someone you love can continue to live a quality life.