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Memory loss is the most obvious symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are many other warning signs you can watch for. These are six common behaviors your senior loved one may display if he or she needs to be assessed for Alzheimer’s.
1. Being Confused about Time or Place
After retirement, the days can blur together. However, seniors should know approximately what time it is and where they are. You should worry if your loved one suddenly talks as though he or she is in the past or can’t remember where he or she is supposed to be. This type of memory loss also places your loved one at risk for getting lost or having a medication mishap. Once your parent reaches this point, it’s time to hire a caregiver who can watch over your loved one’s wellbeing.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading senior home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
2. Increased Reliance on Memory Aids
Your loved one may not mention that he or she experiences memory loss. In fact, many older adults try to cover it up because they fear what might happen if they get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While your loved one may be doing his or her best to keep things together, you may see the evidence of difficulties with memory all over the house. Most people have a calendar or an alarm. However, seniors with Alzheimer’s begin to use memory aids more often. For instance, they may have lists of instructions written out for procedures they used to be able to do with ease.
3. Difficulty Holding a Conversation
Little memory lapses become a problem for socializing when they occur often. Seniors who are moving into more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease might have difficulty completing sentences or remembering what they talked about with someone the last time they were together. Your loved one may even trail off in the middle of a conversation and get distracted by something else.
4. Challenges with Problem-Solving
Paying bills, adjusting recipes, and creating driving routes are just a few normal activities that require problem-solving abilities. With Alzheimer’s disease, complex thought processes are more difficult. For instance, your loved one may miscalculate when paying bills or follow a recipe incorrectly.
5. Challenges with Familiar Routines
Despite the common limitations of age, your loved one should be able to do most of the things he or she is used to doing. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease could cause your loved one to have difficulty with things that once came naturally. For instance, your parent may forget to eat, put on daytime clothes at bedtime, or suddenly forget how to brush his or her teeth. These behaviors are also a sign your loved one needs help accomplishing daily tasks.
Older adults living with Alzheimer’s often find it challenging to complete everyday activities. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of home care. Philadelphia Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
6. Withdrawal from Normal Activities
As these symptoms begin to affect your loved one’s life, he or she may start to worry about other people noticing. Your loved one may stop socializing due to having difficulty holding a conversation. If your loved one starts to become withdrawn, take the time to find out why. Getting help with the symptoms allows your loved one to be active again.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Philadelphia seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. Call us at (215) 645-4663 to learn about our comprehensive in-home care plans.