Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Early Signs of Alzheimers Disease and Dementia

By Anna Ruth

Discovering that a family member has the first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's will be difficult, but there are lots of resources you can use to make caring for that family member more productive. Your family member will still desire to be alone, and you'll want to select a place that will give you what you need to help them thrive. Here are some vital facts about Alzheimer's that will let you know if you need to find additional treatment.

Alzheimer's and dementia are often linked together, since Alzheimer's is an overall problem of memory loss, which is coupled with other symptoms like depression or lack of attentiveness, while dementia is the sweeping deterioration of the mind. In the beginning of Alzheimer's, you will note that they can sometimes forget people's names or common words that are used during regular communications. If this happens very rarely, it's not a problem. However, if you notice that your grandparent is saying a made-up word to take the place of a word they can't think of, or if they're becoming more and more withdrawn during conversation, it could be the preliminary signs of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Reduced desire to finish some things, or even some changes in personality could be another indication of Alzheimer's and dementia. If someone is experiencing dementia, completing normal things can be a challenge. So tasks like cooking dinner, tying shoes, and getting dressed each day get done rarely as the condition progresses. The brain slows down, and neurotransmitters do not do their job as effectively. If you find that your parent or grandparent now puts things in odd places around the house, such as keeping a check book in between sofa cushions, or see a comb in the dishwasher, this could be a sign that it's time to meet with the doctor.

In the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and dementia, you will note that it's difficult for your loved one to organize their feelings and thoughts, and it may be increasingly harder for your mom to recognize lifelong friends. Once you talk with your physician, you will be able to create a treatment plan for your loved one to help to consider their needs. Studies have shown that most patients last around 10 years after the initial diagnosis, but some even live twenty years after the disease has been detected.

To learn more about Alzheimer's and dementia proper care, visit www.alz.org.

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