The symptoms related to parents’ memory or behavior may be quite shocking. Sometimes it is rather challenging to define if the changes you see are age-related or there are some issues with dementia. As far as Alzheimer’s disease is concerned, its symptoms are very specific and they appear slowly and gradually, and that is why one can miss them initially. However, as a rule, the patterns start becoming obvious after a while.
The first and foremost symptom that appears is memory loss. Of course, everyone sometimes forgets things. The only problem is that people having Alzheimer’s can start asking the same question again and again; they can have trouble remembering new information. What is important to understand is that such people depend on their relatives and calendars since they forget everything easily.
Another thing that needs to be considered is problems with planning or solving any kinds of issues. If you start noticing that it takes your parents too long to do something that was always done quickly, or they find it increasingly difficult to follow a certain recipe or even remember the medicines they should take, then you need to pay close attention.
Confusion and Issues
Disorientation regarding time and/or location may also occur. Such signs include getting confused with dates, forgetting where one is located, and not knowing how he or she got there. Sometimes patients become disorientated even in their home environment, and such a phenomenon worries family members very much.
Communication may also change; the patient will find it difficult to use certain words, will have pauses while speaking, will talk to you in circles without realizing it. Moreover, sometimes your parent stops at some point and cannot understand what to say next or replaces words improperly.
Finally, you may observe a deterioration in judgment and decision making. Such behavior may manifest itself in poor choices of finances, difficulties in evaluating situations correctly, and changes in personal hygiene. You may notice that your parent wears clothes unsuitable for the weather.
Mood and personality changes
The calm and extroverted individual may become anxious, paranoid, withdrawn, or easily irritated. The person will also lose interest in the hobbies and social interactions that he or she previously enjoyed. The behavioral changes are sometimes perceived as stress or depression; however, together with mental and memory changes, they may indicate something different.
Another behavioral change typical for the early stage is frequent forgetfulness and difficulty tracking what has happened to an object. People tend to forget where they left something from time to time. However, if a person finds his/her belongings in odd places like a refrigerator or a cupboard, then it can serve as a warning sign.
It should be noted that the presence of one or two warning signs does not guarantee that the person suffers from Alzheimer’s disease because there are various reasons for their appearance. For example, stress, vitamin deficiency, adverse drug reactions, or other kinds of dementia are also associated with such symptoms. Nevertheless, if several signs gradually emerge, then consulting a specialist is a must.
Making Sure You Get Early Assessments
Early detection will play an important role. A general practitioner can perform assessments initially and then refer your parent to more specialized tests, should they be needed. And even if the diagnosis isn’t Alzheimer’s disease, early identification will allow your parents to get the correct support regardless.
Spotting signs in your parent can be tough, especially since it usually goes hand in hand with uncertainty and concern. But the earlier you spot the changes, the better you can plan for what lies ahead.
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