Have you found yourself worried because you forgot where you put your car keys? Or do you worry when you notice that your aging loved one is having problems remembering the names of family members? It can be alarming to notice changes in the cognitive capabilities of ourselves or our older loved ones. However, not all memory changes are due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. You can find some relief in knowing what changes are a normal part of aging, and what changes are cognitive decline that should lead you to call the doctor.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia vs. Normal Aging
Most of us have misplaced our keys or smartphone at least occasionally. For some of us, we misplace them once a week. These random “where did I put that?” moments are commonplace for anyone of any age, but the older we get, the more common they become. This can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the fact that we have more responsibilities and more on our minds as we get older or just general disorganization.
While we can become more distracted as we age, it’s important to note that dementia is not a normal sign of aging. Not everyone who gets older will end up with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. However, the World Health Organization reports that more than 55 million people around the globe currently live with some type of dementia, with about 10 million new cases being diagnosed each year. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you aren’t sure about the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, or if you use the terms interchangeably, you aren’t alone. Many family members only get a quick education about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia after a loved one is diagnosed.
Here is what you need to know about the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia
There are many different types of dementia, which is a general term used to describe a group of conditions that lead to memory loss, language difficulties, problem-solving challenges, and social skills.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia
While other types of dementia, such as Lewy body or vascular, are common diagnoses among the older population, Alzheimer’s is by far the most common. An estimated 60-80 percent of dementia diagnoses are Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s diagnoses are projected to grow
As the baby boomer generation continues to get older, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to grow as well. By 2050, experts estimate that nearly 13 million people will be living with the disease.
While Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can feel quite scary to older adults and their loved ones, you can empower yourself by understanding when to be worried and what to do next.
Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
So, when do you start to worry when the “where did I put that?” moments seem to be coming more often than not? The easy answer to this question is to take notice when those forgetful moments begin to impact daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. This means that adults often show signs and symptoms long before they are diagnosed. However, thanks to more awareness, family members are sometimes able to notice red flags and follow up with a physician sooner rather than later. In addition to forgetfulness, there are other symptoms that, if they affect daily life, are often forerunners or warning signs to a dementia diagnosis:
Memory Loss
Misplacing your keys or forgetting the name of someone you know is a normal part of aging. Frequently forgetting recently learned information and being unable to recall that information later on or retrace your steps can be a sign of dementia.
Difficulty Doing Familiar Tasks
There are physical and cognitive challenges that come as we get older – such as changes in mobility or learning to use new technology. Those challenges can be a normal part of aging and can make completing tasks harder. When someone has dementia, they often struggle with how to do a familiar task and the sequence of steps that must take place to complete the task. Think of the many steps involved in the simple task of brushing your teeth. We breeze our way through this task every day without a second thought. Someone with dementia may be unsure how to complete the task, or even how to start it.
Confusion
Most of us have had moments in the busyness of life when we forget which day of the week it is, and then quickly remember. Someone with dementia may lose track of time, days, weeks, and seasons of the year. They may call from the parking lot of a familiar location they have frequented for years, because they are unable to remember how they got there or how to get home.
New Challenges in Logic, Judgement or Problem Solving
We have all missed a monthly payment on occasion and then remember to do it later. People living with dementia will likely struggle to manage finances at all and pay bills on time – or remember that those monthly bills exist. In the early stages of dementia, they may rely heavily on calendars or reminder notes, but that becomes ineffective as dementia progresses. Someone with dementia may become reactive or behave in ways that are extremely out of character due to changes in the part of the brain that prompts us to be reasonable. They may be grooming themselves less or not at all. They may wear clothing that is unwashed or inappropriate for the season such as wearing a coat on a warm day or a t-shirt in the cold.
Communication Changes
We have all struggled to find certain words or names during a conversation. However, when those word-finding difficulties begin to affect daily life, it could be a red flag. Someone with dementia may call familiar objects by a different name or be unable to complete a conversation. They may ask the same question or tell the same story over and over again. These changes can often make the individual begin to isolate themselves from social situations and people they once enjoyed due to embarrassment or anxiety.
The key to knowing if something is a true concern is to determine if any of the above symptoms are new, worsening, or if they affect the person’s ability to function in their day-to-day life. If so, it’s time to call the doctor and schedule an appointment to discuss what is going on.
What to Do If You Notice Early Signs of Dementia
First things first: a medical diagnosis and plan. If you notice early signs of dementia in yourself or your loved one, the first step is to call the doctor. Once that appointment is scheduled, take some time to jot down specific situations when you have observed concerning signs. Be as thorough and honest as possible; the more information you can share with the doctor, the better they can understand the full picture of what might be happening.
You can also talk about your concerns with your loved one. Chances are that they are noticing some signs themselves, which can be scary and feel quite isolating. If they have the chance to talk about it, they might feel better sharing their feelings with you. Don’t be afraid to begin the conversation so you can work together to get them the support and resources they need.
While you can share with other siblings or trusted family members, steer clear from giving too much information about the situation to friends or neighbors. Wait until you have a full diagnosis before you begin to share it with others.
Finally, your time with the doctor will include plenty of discussion and questions so they can determine the next steps. They might encourage you to schedule an additional appointment with a neurologist or begin a medication regimen to slow down any disease progression. Write down their instructions so you can refer to them later and be sure to ask any questions you might have.
Planning Next Steps
Once you have received a medical diagnosis, it’s important to begin thinking about safety, community, and empowering your loved one to live to their fullest potential – even with a dementia diagnosis.
Thanks to early detection, a person with early-stage dementia can often be very involved with future planning and advocate for their own wishes. Include your loved one as you begin to get their affairs in order and as you explore memory care living options. Memory care communities are specialized senior living communities that are designed specifically to support those living with dementia. While you or your loved one might not need memory care support quite yet, it’s never too early to begin looking at your options and the benefits of these unique communities.
Memory care communities not only provide a safe and comfortable environment, but a good memory care community is a place tailored to the unique needs of someone living with dementia, with staff who are trained to engage the individuals and partner with them in care in a way that focuses on honor, dignity, and empowering remaining abilities. A good memory care is a place where not only people living with dementia can receive the support they need, but there is support for their family members as well. You can begin researching memory care communities near you with a quick online search, but be sure you find a community that suits your budget, your location needs, and most of all is a place where individuals living with dementia and their family members can thrive.
To learn more on the topic: Is It More Than Just Forgetfulness?
