Call Us 866-924-2442
logo new
 
  • About Us
    • Our Culture
    • Our Caregivers
    • Our Management Team
    • Industry Statistics
  • Careers
  • Services
    • Coordination of Care
    • Elderly Care Services
    • Hiring an Agency vs.
      Direct Caregiver
    • Benefits Outweigh Cost
    • Personal Care
    • Skilled Nursing Therapy
    • Senior In Home Care
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  • Programs
    • ENSUREPrograms
      • ENSUREConnect
      • ENSURECheck
    • Temperature Screening Services
      • Event Screening
    • Veterans Aid & Attendance
  • Blogs
    • Lifestyle
    • Franchising
    • Newsroom
  • Hand in Hand Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Ask a Question

Blog

Home Alzheimer's Disease Family May Notice Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease During the Holidays

Family May Notice Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease During the Holidays

December 23, 2013Admin

Senior home health care during the holidaysDuring the holidays, family members gather from near and far to celebrate the season. Often this may be the only time all year everyone gets together. It may also be the time when family members begin to notice subtle changes in older loved ones that might not have been visible the year before.

What to Look For: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Everyone forgets a name or misplaces keys occasionally, and many healthy people are less able to remember certain kinds of information as they get older. But the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are much more serious than simple memory lapses. People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties communicating, thinking, reasoning and learning—problems severe enough to have an impact on an individual’s work, social activities and family life. Here are some signs that might be of concern, as compared to some memory changes that are considered normal:

Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. What’s normal: Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game. What’s normal: Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

Problems with language. People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. For example, they may be unable to find the toothbrush and instead ask for “that thing for my mouth.” What’s normal: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. What’s normal: Forgetting the day of the week, or walking into another room and forgetting why you went there.

Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money. What’s normal: Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

Problems with abstract thinking. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used. What’s normal:Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

Misplacing things. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places, such as an iron in the freezer or wristwatch in the sugar bowl. What’s normal:Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.

Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings—from calm to tears to anger—for no apparent reason. What’s normal: Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. What’s normal:

People’s personalities do change somewhat with age. They may become less flexible or reluctant to try new things; however, normal changes are not generally dramatic.

Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities. What’s normal: Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, you should consult a doctor. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.

Source:  Assisting Hands Home Care in association with IlluminAge, © IlluminAge 2013

Previous post Don’t Invite the Flu for the Holidays Next post January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Newsletters

Facebook
Twitter

Categories

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Brain Health
  • Business Awards
  • Caregiving Tips
  • COVID-19
  • Elder Care
  • Healthy Aging
  • Homecare
  • In Home Care
  • Legal & Financial
  • Long Term Care
  • News
  • Planning Ahead
  • Respite Care
  • Safety
  • Senior Care
  • Summer
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteering

Recent Posts

  • The Importance of Senior Vitamins and Minerals
  • Another Bowl, Please–Three Yummy Immune-Boosting Soup Recipes
  • Glaucoma—Signs and Care
  • 5 Simple Ways to Improve the Quality of Life for Your Loved One
  • Social Distancing Can Worsen Holiday Blues–Here Is How You Can Help

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • May 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • May 2012
chat-icon

Read Our Newsletter

Read More
apache_pb

Download Our Brochure

Download
logo

assisting hands

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.

  • 866-924-2442
  • support@assistinghands.com
  • 5700 East Franklin Rd Nampa ID 83687

Follow Us

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Pinterest

Company

  • In Home Health Care, Elder Care & Senior Caregivers
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Services
  • Company News
  • Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Location List

Services

  • Hiring an Agency vs.
    Direct Caregiver
  • Senior In Home Care
  • Elderly Care Services
  • Coordination of Care
  • Personal Care
  • Skilled Nursing Therapy
  • Benefits Outweigh Cost

Legal

  • Site Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Crunchbase

2020 Assisting Hands Home Care. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Powered by Path