Hey folks,
Back on Sunday, May 8, 2011, I posted a Two Part Series on Alzheimer's. Some of you have Emailed me and asked me about my Story and various questions about Alzheimer's and Dementia. I'm no expert in the field. I'm not the one to answer any Medical Questions at all. But the folks over at The Alzheimer's Association CAN answer your questions. Go to THEIR site and check it out. It is well worth the time. It is a Treasure Trove of information from what Alzheimer's and Dementia is, the Warning Signs to dealing with someone who suffers from the disease. They are GREAT people also. I'm in contact with some over there and they REALLY want to get you this information.But a friend of mine asked me, "Pete, I saw your Post on Alzheimer's. I do not talk about it, but I think I may be seeing some early signs of it in my Mom. I would be lying if I said I was not starting to get a little scared, but I do not want to read something into nothing." So again I directed him to The Alzheimer's Association Website. But since this IS something that many of us will have to deal with, I figured why not discuss this a bit more in this weeks Health and Science Segment.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor. Learn how Alzheimer's affects the brain and take the Brain Tour.
10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
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.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people 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.
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.
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. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer's 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.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.
Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Copyright © 2009 Alzheimer's Association®. All rights reserved.
So I told my friend, if his Mom is showing any of these signs, and I'm telling YOU, if YOU or a Loved One of YOURS is showing any of these signs, PLEASE go to the Doctor and get checked out. Time is NOT on your side.
Be right back.
Peter
Sources:
Alzheimer's Association - 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's
1 comment:
You really just compared Joplin to Katrina? There's already building happening in Joplin. What should the president be doing? Moving building materials, running the forklift, perhaps? What if he were to set up a base in Joplin and mug for the cameras everyday - walkin' around with his sleeves rolled up and such? Do you think anyone (everyone) would be saying he was politicizing a disaster? You betchya.
Savage is a hate-filled fear monger with nary a positive, forward thinking idea. Only hate-based criticism. Americans like him are only bad for this great country. They bring no worthwhile debate to the table.
This is a non-issue. It is not the president's job to comfort those that have experience loss (this is your church's, friends' and family's job). It IS the president's job to provide funds and resources so that those communities affected by disasters are safe and can rebuild (something that did NOT happen under Bush).
Sen. Roy Blunt - Missouri's Republican Senator - praised the federal response to the disaster. He lauded the decision by the federal government to quickly declare Joplin a federal disaster zone, enabling residents to immediately begin receiving federal aid. He also wants the feds to pay for 100% of the cleanup, instead of the normal 75%. What do you think about that? (Hate the feds until you need them).
Seems like Savage (and you) should be praising the president for handling this disaster properly.
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