It can be daunting and unnerving to watch a loved one get older, especially when you feel like you’re watching for worrying symptoms. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80% of all cases.
Symptoms include memory loss and confusion, but these can also be common signs of natural ageing. Today, we’ll explore 11 signs of Alzheimer’s and when it’s time to consult a healthcare professional.
11 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Most people know the common indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, but there are many other symptoms that you might not have heard of before. Below are 11 possible signs that a person may be developing early-stage Alzheimer’s.
1. Memory Loss and Lapses
Becoming more forgetful is a natural part of ageing, to a degree. People may forget what they did the day before, or blank when asked for a loved one’s name. This is because the part of the brain that retrieves memories naturally slows down over time.
However, people with Alzheimer’s may regularly forget recent events or the names of familiar places and faces. They may start asking the same questions over and over, because they can’t remember your initial answer.
If your loved one is becoming stressed or agitated about their memory loss, it may be a good idea to talk to their GP.
2. Feeling Unusually Nervous or Anxious
Many people like to do things a certain way or have preferences surrounding their daily routines. For older people who have spent their entire lives building their own regimes, it can be normal to feel apprehensive or reluctant to change.
The development of Alzheimer’s can amplify these feelings and cause people to become distressed in unfamiliar situations. Dementia can impair a person’s ability to plan for changes and complete things, making it harder for them to accommodate unexpected events.
A sudden change, such as making the home more dementia-friendly or the introduction of a carer, may leave them feeling confused, out of control and overly dependent on others.
3. Trouble Solving Simple Problems
Your loved one may find organised tasks difficult, such as following a set of instructions or a recipe, if they are developing early-stage Alzheimer’s. They may also struggle to manage their finances, meaning a trusted family member needs to step in and take charge.
It’s important to exercise the brain frequently as we get older, as the brain can become weak and struggle to adapt to the changes it frequently faces.
4. Struggling with Familiar Tasks
People with Alzheimer’s may find it increasingly difficult to complete familiar tasks. They may get disoriented in places they know well, such as their neighbourhood or a loved one’s house. Or they may forget the rules of their favourite game and struggle to play as well as they used to.
These are often signs of abnormal memory loss, which should be discussed with a GP or memory specialist.
5. Confusion About Time and Places
Forgetting the time and place can be normal for many of us, but losing complete track of dates, the time and even the season can be worrying. Alzheimer’s makes people prone to getting lost, even when they’re close to home.
Wandering is just one challenging behaviour of dementia. This can increase the risk of injuries and the need for professional care.
6. Disconnect Between Visual and Spatial Relationships
You may notice your loved one not being able to recognise themselves in the mirror, which could indicate a cognitive condition such as Alzheimer’s. The disease may have damaged the part of the brain that controls spatial awareness.
Other visual problems may include:
- Hallucinations, such as seeing things that aren’t there
- Difficulty understanding what they’re looking at
- Struggling to recognise people and belongings
- Difficulty judging distances when driving
7. Language and Word Difficulties
Older adults will often find themselves losing a thread of a conversation, especially as hearing and communication problems become more apparent. However, if you notice your loved one struggling to communicate their needs or forget common words altogether, it may be a cause for concern.
People with Alzheimer’s often repeat themselves or have trouble joining in conversations, as they lose their train of thought more easily.
8. Misplacing Personal Belongings
A person with Alzheimer’s is more likely to put their belongings in unfamiliar places, such as the freezer or an unused cupboard. They may get confused and think these are safe places to keep their things, or they may be hiding them as a result of paranoia that dementia often causes.
Unfortunately, if they forget where they originally hid their belongings, this can exacerbate feelings of suspicion. They may think loved ones are stealing from them or deliberately confusing them.
9. Changes in Personality
Most people experience personality changes as they get older, but Alzheimer’s creates severe alterations that can worry or even frighten family members. Many people with dementia become more irritable, anxious and aggressive.
Hallucinations and delusions can distress them, causing even more severe changes in their personality.
Alzheimer’s also often affects sleep patterns and inhibitions, creating challenging behaviours that family carers may struggle to deal with. A live-in or visiting carer can support families through this difficult transition.
10. Poor Judgement or Making Unusual Decisions
Many people with Alzheimer’s display poor judgment or make decisions that they usually wouldn’t. For example, they may fall prey to door-to-door sales scams or telemarketers, buying things they don’t need and depleting their savings.
They may also stop paying attention to personal hygiene or caring for themselves properly. A lack of judgment can compromise their safety, increasing fears from concerned family members.
11. Avoidance in Social Situations
Many older adults suffer from loneliness as a result of low self-esteem and depression, increasing the risk of isolation. Alzheimer’s may exacerbate this, leading the person to lose interest in their hobbies, stop engaging with their loved ones or community, and ultimately avoid social engagements altogether.
This can also be a symptom of depression, so if you think your loved one is suffering from loneliness or isolation, speak to their GP about getting them professional help.
Talk to Us Today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
