Assuming its Alzheimer’s
By Cassie
I have spoken to numerous adult children who believe their parents have Alzheimer’s disease because they are forgetting things, misplacing objects, or “lie” about things they may or may not have done. The word “Alzheimer’s” has become a catchphrase for the younger population as well. I have been called “Allie” on many occasions when I forget things or consciously choose to enact my selective listening.
People tend to forget that Alzheimer’s disease is indicated in approximately 5.3 million Americans and is no laughing matter.
There are definitive differences between Alzheimer’s disease versus normal aging changes. One of our favorite blogs, The Alzheimer’s Reading Room outlines symptoms that present as a false positive for Alzheimer’s in the post: “Is it really Alzheimer’s or something else?”
Poor judgment and decision-making is most often cited as a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. When poor decisions are made infrequently it is likely that this is a normal sign of aging or simply being alive. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease make poor decisions consistently due to cognitive difficulties. There are differences between Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease and typical age-related changes listed on Alzheimer’s Association’s page “10 Signs of Alzheimer’s.”
In summary, the 10 warning signs are:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
Alzheimer’s Association provides details on each sign on their site.
CareGuide nurses and social workers administer a Mini Mental Health Status Exam that can indicate whether a person is suffering from significant cognitive decline. If this is the case, a referral to a neurologist or Geri-psychiatrist is always recommended so that further testing can be completed and medication prescribed if deemed necessary.
In summary, the excuses we used as kids, “The dog ate my homework”, “I can’t find my shoes”, “A bully ate my lunch” may be real perceptions to a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Although at times you may think they are just pulling your leg, keep in mind that if these types of rationale are consistent and persistent, cognitive impairment may be indicated.
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