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The Alzheimer’s Association cites ten warning signs that people who are over 65-70 should be aware of:
1) Memory loss – “I’ve told you a million times where we keep the toolkit”. Being told something and still not being able to remember it could indicate a problem
2) Difficulty performing familiar tasks – like getting mixed up when trying to do up your buttons
3) Problems with language – we all struggle to find the right word sometimes, but if this is getting harder and harder in everyday conversation, it is something to note down
4) Disorientation to time and place – for instance sitting in your car in a car park thinking “where am I and what day is it?”
5) Poor or decreased judgment – if someone asks you for money on the street you may give them a $1; giving them $50 when you have none to spare would be considered a poor judgment
6) Problems with abstract thinking – abstract thinking can be things like trying to work out how your monthly bills are going to be paid with the money you have in your bank
7) Misplacing things - loosing your keys once or twice is one thing, but do you forget where you’ve left something almost every time you put it down?
8) Changes in mood or behavior – why has my 76-year-old mother suddenly turned into a hormonal teenager again, shouting at me one minute and in floods of tears the next?
9) Changes in personality – why has my sweet, loving father gradually become more and more suspicious my children are stealing from him?
10) Loss of initiative – maybe you used to be the planner of the group and now you just can’t seem to get it together, or even want to get it together
See also my articles on:
Alzheimer's disease - some facts and figures: www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6929-San-Diego-Mental-Health-Examiner~y2009m4d19-Alzheimers-disease--some-facts-and-figures
Alzheimer's disease resources in San Diego County: www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6929-San-Diego-Mental-Health-Examiner~y2009m4d19-Alzheimers-disease-resources-in-San-Diego-County
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