If you have concerns about an aging parent’s memory or
behavior, if you’ve suddenly noticed your mother’s memory declining, your
father’s been behaving strangely lately, such as accusing you of taking his
money, or you’re having to question your mother’s judgment in areas where she
has always executed competence in until recently, you’ve probably wondered if
they have Alzheimer’s or another dementia. As your parent or loved one ages,
it’s but natural for their memories to not remain as sharp as they may have
been when they were younger. It’s easy for the elderly to forget where they
placed their glasses or the names of people they’ve just met with changes
occurring in hormone levels and in the brain. A little forgetfulness here and
there is one thing, but if it is persistent, it may lead you to worry about
your aging parent’s brain health, and it might be time to learn about and
consider memory care options, such as assisted living care, best home care, York County, etc. since
proper care as early as possible is critical.
Let’s be honest, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s or
dementia, but there are some treatments that can help to slow a degenerative
condition. However, before seeking professional advice, keep a track on what
you are seeing and hearing for a short period of time. Here are some common
Alzheimer’s signs to watch for:
1.
Difficulty problem-solving
2. Difficulty in conversation
3. Confusion over time and dates
4. Changes in mood and personality
5. Problems with vision
6. Forgetting task just done
7. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
8. Poor judgment
9. Asking repeated information
10. Difficulty remembering how to navigate to a frequently visited destination
2. Difficulty in conversation
3. Confusion over time and dates
4. Changes in mood and personality
5. Problems with vision
6. Forgetting task just done
7. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
8. Poor judgment
9. Asking repeated information
10. Difficulty remembering how to navigate to a frequently visited destination
Now
comes the vital steps if you think your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s:
Talk
to your senior’s doctor- If you are hesitant about discussing your concerns
with your loved one, it is best to then share them with their doctor, and that
is where the above list of observations can come in handy for you. He or she
will evaluate him or her, and accordingly decide whether or not he/she must be
referred to a neurologist for screening.
Talk
to your parent- It is difficult to address the elephant in the room,
but the sooner you talk about it with your loved one, the better will it be for
their well-being. At first, your loved one may resistthe idea of getting tested
for Alzheimer’s, the responsibility is on you now to make them understand that
there is nothing to be concerned about, and that it is for their own good and
your peace of mind.
Diagnosis- It can
happen that you may have mistaken the signs of something else like vitamin
deficiency, vision or hearing problems, and medication side effects, for signs
of Alzheimer’s, which means you need to see a specialistwho will look at the
whole person to gather a solid understanding of what is going on with your
parent before conducting diagnosis.
Encourage
your parents to devise their own care plan- If, God Forbid, you mom or dad
is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,it’s best that you let them know that they are
still in control of their own life and their care plan. Tell them that you want
to make sure you want to fulfill their wishes in the coming years. Having a professional
caregiver at home while she is still able to process information well is
an important step in the process.
