Alzheimer dementia is a disease that can strike us as we get older. Unfortunately it can strike a large number of older adults and it is a form of senile dementia. It is progressively degenerative, and proves ultimately fatal. It has the effect on the sufferer of robbing them of their physical functioning, alertness of mind, and the relationships they have with their friends and family, because as the disease progresses the sufferer usually fails to recognise family and relatives. Coping with Alzheimer patients can be heartbreaking.
Typically with the disease progresses in three distinct stages termed early, middle, and late. Alzheimer disease stages have their own distinct challenges for both the sufferer and the person acting as caregiver. In the early alzheimer stages the sufferer displays symptoms which are recognisable to doctors as the beginning of the onset of the disease.
With the disease one of the most common symptoms is the loss of memory and smells. A person who is beginning to suffer the effects of the disease may not for example remember what an apple smells like. Recently scientists have been able to come up with an early screening scratch device which doctors can use to recognise the early loss of memory symptoms.
It is basically a scratch and smell card. Using this test doctors have been able to improve their diagnosis in detecting the disease earlier, and this early detection is leading to treatment which is helping to slow down the progression of the disease, enabling a sufferer to have a longer quality of life.
As we get older most of us will suffer occasional memory loss in the form of forgetting names or appointments. This is quite common. However someone who begins to forget more and more often is showing indication of the onset of alzheimer symptoms, and should be further evaluated by a doctor.
The Alzheimer Association can provide a checklist which will help family members make a preliminary judgment as to whether a visit to their doctor for a more in-depth evaluation is necessary. Most general practitioners would prefer that patients are referred to them earlier even if that turns out to be a false alarm, as early diagnosis is important. If you are beginning to have doubts about a family member, please don’t sit on the problem hoping it will go away.
If your family member is displaying early signs of alzheimer memoria demencias you may also see them having difficulty performing familiar tasks such as making something to eat or dialling a phone number. They may forget words to common objects and may refer to them as ‘thingamabob’ or say something like ‘you know that thing you use to do the things you look out of with’ which can make conversation is very difficult to follow. They have forgotten both the name of the product and the word ‘windows’.
Another warning sign of alzheimer dementia is disorientation with something familiar. They may get confused a short distance from home and be unsure of the correct direction to go to get back. They may begin to make poor judgments about their dress or clothing, or begin to tell you they never liked a favourite food.
They may begin to misplace objects, or forget they have paid a bill and may ask you to pay it again. They may also lose their incentive to do anything during the day preferring to sit in front of the television instead. They may exhibit personality changes such as extreme loss of confidence, greater dependence on family members, or even suspicion or fear of familiar family members. They may ask, “You’re John aren’t you?” or even think you are someone else entirely.
If your loved one is displaying any of these signs, even occasionally, be extremely concerned and do your very best to encourage a further evaluation with their doctor.
Tags: alzheimer, alzheimer disease, alzheimer association, alzheimer disease stages, alzheimer memoria demencias, alzheimer dementia, coping with alzheimer, alzheimer stages, alzheimer symptoms
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