NATIONWIDE — The holiday season can be a time when families come together to celebrate. In many cases, it can be the first time family members have seen each other in months.
Because …
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NATIONWIDE — The holiday season can be a time when families come together to celebrate. In many cases, it can be the first time family members have seen each other in months.
Because of this, it also might be the first time families notice memory or behavior changes in their older loved ones.
“It’s relatively common for people to experience some forgetfulness as they age. But if you notice behavior such as personality changes, confusion or significant memory loss, you may be noticing the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia,” said Meg Boyce, vice president of programs and services at Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley chapter.
Signs that something could be wrong include forgetting how to make a favorite recipe, or being uncertain about what day it is. Loved ones might also notice that the person isn’t taking good care of themselves or their home, or that they are more irritated or short-tempered than normal. Other signs can include:
Repeating themselves
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Getting lost in their own neighborhood
Confusion with times, days or places
Personality changes
“If you notice one or more of these changes in your loved one, it can be upsetting, and you may not know what to do,” Boyce said. “It’s natural to feel nervous discussing these changes with family members, but these health concerns should be evaluated by a doctor. We know that the earlier Alzheimer’s or dementia is diagnosed, the more access a person has to treatment options, including clinical drug trials, and in planning for their future.”
Visit alz.org/10signs for a list of common early signs of Alzheimer’s and how to differentiate them from normal signs of aging.
Help is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays) at the Alzheimer’s Association helpline, 800/272-3900, where experts and master’s degree-level clinicians can offer helpful information and support.
Story contributed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
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