November 5, 2015
We all experience moments of forgetfulness in our daily lives. But when does misplacing keys on occasion or forgetting your phone number turn into something of more concern? What behavioral changes in an elderly parent or relative indicate that it could be Alzheimer’s?
At Continuum, our home care in St. Charles, MO and surrounding areas assists many senior clients and their families who face this frightening thought. Here are 10 red flags to be on the lookout for:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life – forgetting recently learned information or important dates
- Trouble in planning or solving problems – difficulty following familiar instructions, recipes, how to pay monthly bills, etc.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks – trouble driving to or navigating to familiar places
- Time and place confusion – losing track of days or seasons
- Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships – difficulty judging distance or determining colors
- New problems with speaking or writing – repetitive speech, trouble following conversations
- Misplacing things, inability to retrace steps – putting things in unusual places, may accuse others of stealing
- Decreased or poor judgment – problems dealing with money, paying less attention to grooming
- Withdrawal from work or social activities – shying away from social functions or tasks
- Changes in mood or personality – easily upset, confused, suspicious, fearful, etc.
If you’re concerned that your loved one may potentially be entering the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the first step should always be to schedule an appointment with the primary care physician. Tell the primary care physician the changes you’ve noted in your loved one, as he or she may not recall all the details.
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be overwhelming for both the patient and family. The future might seem bleak, but the professional in-home caregivers at Continuum can help your loved one live his or her best life possible. Learn how we can help you navigate this new road ahead, by calling us today at (314) 863-9912 or (636) 861-3336, or contact us online to find out more about Continuum’s home care in St. Charles, MO and St. Louis Counties or to arrange for a FREE in-home consultation to discuss your home care needs.