June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: Do You Know the Signs of Alzheimer’s?

Elderly Care Services in Glenview IL - June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: Do You Know the Signs of Alzheimer’s?

One of the reasons families seek in-home elderly care is because they worry about their parent’s slipping cognitive abilities. Families are often concerned about the safety of an elderly parent and whether they might do something dangerous because of impaired cognitive function. While some lapses in memory are a normal part of aging, when memory loss becomes a more serious issue and interferes with daily life, there may be cause for concern.

Knowing the signs of Alzheimer’s disease can help to ease your fears about your parent, or they may help you to know when it’s time to get help.  
 
Is it Normal, or Is it Alzheimer’s? 

As people get older, they may sometimes forget someone’s name or miss an appointment. If they typically remember the name or appointment later, there’s no cause for concern. However, it is not normal for your parent to forget ever having known the person or that they even made an appointment. One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is frequently forgetting new information or asking the same question over and over.  
 
Elderly adults might sometimes need some help working things around the house. For example, they may forget how to record a television program using the DVR. When an elder has trouble doing everyday tasks on a regular basis, such as driving to the store or remembering how to play a game that has always been a favorite, it’s time to seek help.  
 
Everybody, regardless of age, makes a poor decision on occasion. One of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease is a significant change in making judgements. For example, someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s might start giving large sums of money to telemarketers or purchasing many more lottery tickets than they used to. 
 
Losing things, like keys or a pair of glasses, is normal. However, people with Alzheimer’s may put items in strange places. The keys might be found in the refrigerator or the glasses in the pantry. When things are lost, people with Alzheimer’s sometimes have trouble retracing their steps to find the item or they might even accuse people of stealing from them. 
 
Next Steps 

If you recognize some of these symptoms in your elderly parent, schedule an appointment with a doctor. If your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, help is available. Hiring an in-home elderly care provider can make it possible for your parent to remain in their home longer than if they were on their own. An elderly care provider can assist your parent with daily tasks, check to make certain they are safe throughout the day, and provide transportation to appointments.

​Hiring an elderly care provider can not only help your parent, it can also help you by easing your worries and allowing you to go on with your life while still ensuring your parent is well taken care of. 
 
Sources:  http://www.alz.org/10-signs-symptoms-alzheimers-dementia.asp 
http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/understanding-alzheimers-disease-symptoms 
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/dxc-20167103 
https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/symptoms 
http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/features/is-your-memory-normal#1 

​If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Glenview IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.
 

---