Millions of people every year discover that they’re battling Alzheimer’s disease. The diagnosis can be a huge surprise for families. Understanding what might indicate that seniors have Alzheimer’s can help families get help sooner. Alzheimer’s care providers understand how complicated the disease is, so they can make it easier for families to find the resources they need.
Repetition Is More Common
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have some big trouble with short-term memory. That typically means that they don’t remember saying something or asking a question. For family members, this translates to hearing seniors repeat the same things over and over. Home care providers can help seniors to reduce repetition, particularly through soothing activities.
Favorite Activities Are Ignored
As seniors age in place, they often have favorite routines and activities that they really enjoy. But Alzheimer’s disease can cause them to avoid some of those activities. If the things they loved doing relied on memory or other cognitive skills, seniors may no longer feel comfortable doing them. This leaves them feeling even more frustrated or restless.
Time and Place Get Confusing
It isn’t uncommon for people of all ages to forget what day it is, but continually forgetting where they are or what month it is might be more of an indication of trouble. Alzheimer’s disease affects areas of the brain that make it more difficult for seniors to keep themselves oriented. The situation becomes even more complicated when seniors don’t have a schedule to keep themselves tethered.
Learning New Things Is Difficult
Because short-term memory is impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, learning new things might feel impossible for seniors. Everyone finds it difficult to master new tasks, but when cognitive illnesses affect the brain and how it functions, seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to retain the steps. Alzheimer’s care providers can gently remind seniors how to do tasks and activities they’ve forgotten.
Responsibilities Are Falling Through the Cracks
As they age in place, seniors might not feel as if they have the same responsibilities they had in the past. That doesn’t mean that responsibilities disappear completely, though. If seniors are missing appointments or other obligations, there might be more going on. Alzheimer’s disease can affect their ability to remember what they need to manage.
Memory Issues Are a Bigger Problem
Just about anyone can have memory trouble, especially after a night of poor sleep or when they’re under extreme stress for a while. But if memory issues are a much bigger problem now than ever before, seniors might be dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s care providers can help with reminders and routines that keep seniors on track with their goals.
Only a doctor can confirm whether seniors are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, but recognizing some of these signs can inspire family members to start asking bigger questions. Alzheimer’s care providers can be there from the very beginning to help aging adults learn how to cope as Alzheimer’s disease progresses and becomes a bigger challenge to manage.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (713) 231-5640.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week