The holiday season is known as a time when families come together to celebrate. In many cases, it can be the first time family members and friends have seen each other in months. Because of this, it also may be the first time families notice memory or behavior changes in their older loved ones.
“Some adults may experience some forgetfulness as they age. But, if you notice behavior such as personality changes, confusion or significant memory loss, you may be noticing the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia,” says Teresa Galbier, executive director of the Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Signs that something may be wrong include forgetting how to make a favorite recipe or being uncertain about what day it is. Loved ones may also notice that the person isn’t taking good care of themselves or their home or that they are more irritated or short-tempered than normal. Other signs can include:
•Repeating themselves
•Difficulty completely familiar tasks
•Getting lost in their own neighborhood
•Confusion with times, days or places
•Personality changes
“If you notice one or more of these changes in your loved one, it can be upsetting and you may not know what to do,” Galbier says. “It’s natural to feel nervous discussing these changes with family members, but these health concerns should be evaluated by a doctor. The earlier Alzheimer’s or dementia are diagnosed, the greater access a person will have to treatment options, including clinical drug trials, and in planning for their future.”
Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at https://alz.org/10signs for a list of common early signs of Alzheimer’s and how to differentiate them from normal signs of aging. Help is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays) at the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, where experts and master’s-level clinicians can offer helpful information and support.
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