Have you ever forgotten what day of the week it is, misplaced the TV remote or couldn’t remember the name of a person you were just introduced to at a social event? The occasional memory hiccup is natural, and something everyone experiences from time to time. That is especially true as we grow older. Just like our physical abilities may slow down as we age, memory can slow as well.
However, with over 180,000 individuals in New Jersey alone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be helpful to learn more about the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It’s important to understand the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and early signs of dementia.
Memory Loss: As stated earlier, you might temporarily forget someone’s name or where you parked the car after shopping. But, what if you can’t remember the name of your spouse or partner? Memory loss that involves forgetting familiar people, places and important events might be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
Disorientation: The more things you have on your mind, the harder it may be to remember them. For example, you hurry to the supermarket to buy those last-minute Thanksgiving dinner ingredients and then realize you forgot your list and can’t remember what you needed. But, what if you get lost driving to the same supermarket that you’ve driven to for years and can’t remember the way back home? Disorientation might be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
Difficulty Completing Routine Tasks: You might be challenged by that new TV remote and need a few lessons and reminders before you finally have it figured out. But, what if you have difficulty making your morning cup of coffee or placing a telephone call? Difficulty completing familiar tasks that have always been routine might be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
Trouble Using Words Appropriately: At times, you might have trouble finding the right word in the middle of a conversation. It’s on the “tip of your tongue” and you eventually get it out. But, what if you are having difficulty completing sentences and following a conversation? You might find that you are using simple descriptions instead of the word you can’t remember. For example, that sandy place instead of beach. This might be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
Changes in Mood and Personality: You might be having a bad day, feeling irritable or sad in reaction to a disappointment or stressful situation. It happens to all of us. But, what if you or your family notice that you are becoming increasingly disinterested in things that you loved to do like socializing with friends or reading? Your family might notice that you seem to be suspicious of everyone. These changes in mood and personality might be a possible indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
While every case of Alzheimer’s disease is different, experts have identified these as some of the common warning signs. If you or someone you love is exhibiting some or all these symptoms, contact your doctor with your concerns and call our Helpline at 888-280-6055.
