Handling Alzheimer’s Disease Effectively - Early Signs and Precautions

25 Jun, 2021

Alzheimer's disorder causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to terminate. It's one of the most common causes of dementia, especially in older people, which leads to a decline in a person's capability to function independently.

Around 6 million people in the United States of America have Alzheimer's disease, which will reach 13 million by 2050. In the last 20 years, casualties from heart disorder have fallen by 7.3%, whereas deaths due to Alzheimer's have risen by 145%, and covid19 has added even more fuel to fire.

Usually, early symptoms of Alzheimer's disorder start developing at the age of 65. Many factors can lead to Alzheimer's, like age, family history, and genetics. Being hostile to one or some of the below-given factors doesn't mean you will develop Alzheimer's; it just increases the risk. Let’s discuss them in brief.

Memory loss that degrades cyclic actions- 

The most apparent sign of Alzheimer's disorder is usually loss of memory. It starts from forgetting information or events in a way that the person typically won't. For example, they may remember the answer to a question, but still, they will ask it again as they were asking it for the first time. Yes, it is not unusual to forget things when someone gets old, but a person developing Alzheimer's will usually encounter this problem at an early stage of life and more often.

Hindrance to performing daily activities- 

An individual may face difficulties in executing a task he used to do before developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disorder, for example, going to a departmental store or office or following the rules of a well-known game. 

People usually require help to get familiar with new things as they age, like learning to use a smartphone, but this does not indicate there is any problem. On the contrary, if a person has been using the same smartphone for many years and suddenly forget how to use it, they might be developing Alzheimer's disorder. 

Difficulties in logical planning or solving-

Alzheimer's affects a person's ability to follow instructions, focus and solve problems like following an instruction manual of a product or a recipe, tracking monthly bills. There's no denying that some people may suffer difficulties regarding these things. Still, if they have suddenly started to have problems with these things without any prior history, then the person might be on the path to developing Alzheimer's disorder. 

Vision and Perceiving Problems-

A person's ability to see may also be affected by this symptom, making it challenging to estimate the distance between two objects. It gets hard to differentiate among colors or to calculate speed or distance. All these factors combined can have a negative influence on a person's driving ability. 

Location and time uncertainty-

A person may develop uncertainty about time and places. They might not be able to track hours, days, months, seasons, or other such things. As the illness advances, the person starts to feel confused about commonly known surroundings or starts wondering how they reached there. This may also lead to immediate abandonment of that place. Many old age patients of this disease get lost due to this symptom.

Misplacing objects constantly or incapacity to reiterate things-

There are many instances where people misplace their belongings but are able to find them back by looking for them in relevant places or reinspecting their actions.  

Yet, a person developing Alzheimer's disorder may not be able to rethink where they kept an item, mainly if they had kept it in an unfamiliar spot. This can lead the person to develop distress or fear that someone is abducting their items. 

Speaking or writing problems-

Having a hard time communicating is also one of the significant symptoms. The person may find it challenging to keep up with an ongoing conversation. There can be instances where the person is speaking but suddenly stops as if he had entirely forgotten what to say next. They may also repeat things or struggle to find the proper word while writing down their thoughts and views.

Mood Swings-

People developing Alzheimer's disorder symptoms usually begin to feel low. They may get uncomfortable, tensed, irritated, or distressed easily. Many of them lose interest in activities that used to give them pleasure. They may also develop a feeling of frustration due to symptoms. This can make them annoying or aggressive towards their surrounding people.

Ways to help someone with Alzhiemer’s Disorder

If someone's everyday life is affected by such symptoms, it's time to step in and observe their well-being cautiously. Don't have any disbelief about what may be Alzheimer's disorder. By diagnosing the situation at an early phase, treatment and support can be provided to diminish the progress of Alzheimer's. It's never too early to learn what support you can provide to help one of your loved ones.

Here's what you can do-

1. Consult a medical professional-

Consider meeting with a medical professional. Today, with advanced technology, several tests predict whether someone has Alzheimer's. Many therapies and medicines are present in the market that may help. And if the person who may be affected hesitates to visit the doctor, these tests can be done in disguise of a regular medical exam. 

2. Building a safe environment- 

It's crucial to implement safety measures and build a safe environment where the one with Alzheimer's resides to lessen the risk and support them. Try being near them as long as possible. Remove or change the position of anything that could be a threat. Make sure they can reach their toiletry items easily when using the washroom. In order to stop them from wandering out of the house, consider looking at the front door from the outside when they are alone at home. It's all about making their environment safe, especially when they are alone. 

3. Make sure their cell phone is accessible- 

Make sure they have their cell phone with them all the time and have GPS installed in it. Keep your contact on their speed-dial or into their "family" option of the phonebook. Buy them a pretty neck lanyard with a pocket pouch where they can keep their cell phone safely and readily available. 

4. Gain knowledge on the Subject- 

You can easily gain knowledge about Alzheimer's if you look online. It's an old disease. There is a lot of research and guidance readily available regarding the symptoms, precautions, and other things to know about Alzheimer's disorder. 

5. Keep them socially active-

If the person lives alone, ask them to stay with you or at least make a schedule to ensure someone is in touch with them regularly. This will provide you peace of mind and give much-required interaction that a person with Alzheimer's needs if he starts feeling low.

Conclusion

Alzheimer's disorder is a progressive disease, and there is no cure for it as of now. However, in many cases, effective steps can be taken to mitigate it. You can make a significant difference if you recognize the early warning signs and take measures.

Are you also experiencing some or any of the symptoms discussed above? If so, it is advised to consult a doctor. To find the best and reliable medical professionals, visit www.cvmedpro.com today. You may also call us at (877) 216-4215 or local: 559.450.6334 to get all your queries answered by our customer care executives.