Adviser Spring 2017 Vol 1 | Page 32

Know the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease By: The Coalition of NYS Alzheimer’s Association Chapters G iven that almost 400,000 people in New York State have Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it’s important for healthcare facility staff to be aware of the disease’s warning signs. It may be hard to know the difference between age-related changes and the first signs of Alzheimer’s. To help identify problems early, the Alzheimer’s Association ® has created a list of warning signs for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Individuals may experience one or more of these in different degrees. 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things that were handled independently. What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show. 31 4. Confusion with time or place People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing People with AD may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue, or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”). What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word. Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2017 (Continued)