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Is It Alzheimer's?

Warning signs you should know

By Fred Brand
This article originally appeared in Elder Caregiving: An Exploration, a special edition of New Jersey Jewish News.

Your wife always misplaces her keys. But last Tuesday, she couldn't remember what they were for.

Your father likes to take daily strolls around the neighborhood. But four times in the past month he's gotten lost and couldn't find his way home without help from a neighbor or the police.

The memory loss, confusion and disorientation described in these examples are symptoms of dementia. The most common kind of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize that these symptoms indicate that something is wrong. It's important to see a physician when you recognize these symptoms. Only a physician can properly diagnose the person's condition. Sometimes symptoms are reversible and caused by conditions other than Alzheimer's disease. Even if the diagnosis is Alzheimer's disease, help is available to explain how to care for the individual and where to find assistance for the caregiver.

To help you know what warning signs to look for, the Alzheimer's Association has developed a checklist of the following common symptoms that may indicate the presence of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia:

Recent memory loss that affects job skills;
Difficulty performing familiar tasks;
Problems with language;
Disorientation of time and place, poor or decreased judgment;
Problems with abstract thinking;
Misplacing things;
Changes in mood or behavior;
Changes in personality;
Loss of initiative.

If several of these symptoms concern you, make sure that the individual with the symptoms sees a physician for a complete examination.

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease is perhaps one of the biggest commitments a person can face. It's one filled with emotional stress and hard work that can also be meaningful and rewarding. To assist caregivers in providing the best possible care while maintaining their own health and well-being, the Alzheimer's Association suggests the following:

Become an educated caregiver.
Know what Alzheimer's care resources are available in your community.
Make daily and long?term plans. If possible, involve the diagnosed individual and other family members in planning activities and making decisions.
Do legal and financial planning.
Get help. Trying to do everything by yourself will leave you exhausted and emotionally drained.
Take care of yourself and manage your level of stress.
Attend a support group.
Accept the changing care needs of the individual with Alzheimer's disease, and be realistic about what you can and cannot do. The care that you provide for the person with Alzheimer's disease, however, does make a difference.
Give yourself credit, not guilt.

Fred Brand is manager of family service programs at the Alzheimer's Association, Denville.

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