The Alzheimer’s Association released statistics in 2016 stating 1 in 9 seniors over the age of 65, or 5.4 million people in the United States, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. With so many seniors afflicted with this disease, more and more families, facilities, spouses and caregivers are faced with caring for individuals with this progressive neurodegenerative disease which will only worsen over time. This disease destroys mental functions and memory resulting in the loss of social and intellectual skills.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging process, it is a prevalent disease among our senior population and is devastating to those diagnosed and their families. What may seem like normal forgetfulness is soon replaced with an inability to perform daily tasks and advances to not even being able to recognize family members. As the disease worsens, someone with Alzheimer’s disease will require support in the home. It is of upmost importance to make the home a safe-haven as the person copes with the memory loss and the sleep/behavioral problems associated with the disease. If your family could benefit from some assistance dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on a senior family member, Champion Home Health Care can help you care for your loved one compassionately and safely within their home, giving you peace of mind and giving them quality care.
Since the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are gradual and often confused with normal aging, it is important to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the disease. Often people and their families underreport symptoms. Early symptoms emerge gradually so often the person affected doesn’t recognize them. As symptoms progress, the affected person might conceal them since they are confused, embarrassed, or not sure what is happening. It is important to notice early signs since the medication used to control symptoms is most beneficial in the early stages of the disease.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily living
- Loss of social skills
- Challenges solving problems and planning
- Misplacing items
- Flat mood
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Trouble recalling names of familiar items and objects
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- Home, leisure, and work daily tasks become difficult
- Time and place confused
- Vision problems: driving issues, problems determining color and contrast, difficulty reading, trouble judging distance
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Aphasia- impairment in using or understanding language
- Losing things
- Decreased or poor decision making
- Socially withdraw
As you can see, it would be easy to confuse some of the normal nuances of aging with the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In our next blog, we will continue to outline the progression of symptoms and discuss some of the problematic behaviors which may emerge and offer ways to deal with them. As always, we are championing for the health and well-being of your senior loved ones all way providing peace of mind for the families involved. Call us at 321-608-3838 and take advantage of our full spectrum of senior home health care services in the Melbourne area of Brevard County.
