Four Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Last updated 10 months ago

Dementia is a loss in brain function that is most commonly seen in Alzheimer's disease. Difficulty remembering things is one symptom of this potentially fatal brain disease. Your aging relative may suffer a decline in reasoning skills, memory, and thinking. If you notice any of the following four symptoms in your senior, see a doctor immediately.

Disruptive Memory Loss: If your elderly family member frequently has difficulty remembering recently learned information, that’s a very strong indicator they may suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Older individuals who ask the same questions repeatedly or forget names and events also may be affected.

Confusion with Time and Place: Watching a senior struggle to remember or make sense of where they are and how they got there is one of the saddest parts of coping with Alzheimer’s in the family. This type of confusion can even extend to what date or season it is. If you notice an aging relative having difficulty remembering where they are, contact a doctor right away.

Difficulty Solving Problems: If your relative is typically very good about balancing a checkbook and paying bills, but suddenly has become forgetful, you should take note of this and seek treatment for him or her. When an otherwise timely and efficient problem solver has trouble tracking recurring events such as monthly bills, planning a budget, or even trouble recalling recipes and other formerly second nature information, they may suffer from Alzheimer’s.

Difficulty Speaking: People with Alzheimer’s often repeat themselves time and again during conversations. They also tend to start and stop thoughts abruptly in the middle of a thought or sentence. Additionally, aging relatives can show difficulties finding the right word in an attempt to explain their thoughts clearly.

If your senior is showing any of these common signs, visit a doctor immediately. For the most caring assisted living center in Massachusetts, visit Whitcomb House. Call us today at (508) 634-2440 to learn more about our memory care program.