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Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
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Changes in memory are a normal part of aging, but 10 warning signs may point to more severe problems, an Alzheimer’s Association community educator told participants at an educational session May 21 in Haymarket.
Aaron Schulman, community educator for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, led the session as part of “Living Well at 50-plus,” a four-part series presented in collaboration with the group and AARP. He stressed that having one or several of these signs did not necessarily indicate a person has Alzheimer’s, and that the best way to make that determination is to consult a doctor.
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Schulman said the signs that may indicate early memory changes are:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
- Confusion with time or place.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing.
- Misplace things and lose the ability to retrace steps.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
- Changes in mood or personality.
It’s important to document changes in memory or behavior, including whether there are issues with planning or solving problems, completing familiar tasks, confusion over time or place and decreasing or poor judgment, according to the presentation. Having a conversation about the issues with a family member, friend or both can help people approach memory concerns, and bringing someone you trust to a doctor’s visit with you can also be helpful.
There are avenues of support to help those who may need them, according to Schulman’s presentation. The Alzheimer’s Association provides a 24/7 assistance phone line at (800) 272-3900, as well as detailed information at its website: www.alz.org . AARP also provides an online dementia caregiver’s guide.
About 70% of dementia patients have Alzheimer’s, Schulman’s presentation noted. When people reach age 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles, and the rate continues to increase every five years. In general, patients die 5-8 years after diagnosis.
As a neurological defect, Alzheimer’s can affect various physiological pathways and result in organ malfunction, he said in response to a question. Lifestyle can play an important role in maintaining brain health – for example, eating highly processed foods and smoking can harm the brain, he noted.
One attendee inquired about the frequent and newly claims that certain food or drugs prevent or decrease Alzheimer’s risks. Shulman cautioned these products should be clinically proven with peer-reviewed evidence to demonstrate effectiveness.
In conclusion, Shulman stressed the importance of people working together to notice warning signs and symptoms. Early detection is key, as there are treatment options to slow disease progression. Uncovering the disease early also allows for better planning - for example, whether a loved one is open to living in a memory care facility and whether there are financial considerations. Attendees said the presentation was very informative in helping people learn the warning signs and understand early detection is critical, as well as the importance of a healthy lifestyle and communicating with others about memory concerns.
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