Take Note of Any Behavioral or Personality Changes
While “senior moments” are certainly a part of the aging process, there is a difference between occasional forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Sometimes, the signs of dementia are obvious, but other times the signs are more subtle, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal human fallibility and a cause for concern. In this post, we will go over all the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses so you know exactly what to watch out for.
Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Keep in mind that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses vary. However, if you’re concerned that a loved one may be experiencing significant cognitive decline, be on the lookout for these symptoms:
- Memory Loss or Confusion
- Being Unable to Express Thoughts Clearly
- Becoming Lost in Familiar Surroundings
- Trouble Taking Care of Finances
- Repeating Themselves
- Using Different Words to Refer to the Same Things
- Needing Longer to Complete Daily Tasks
- Hallucinations and/or Feeling of Paranoia
- Impulsive Decisions and Actions
- No Concern for the Feelings of Others
- Balance and Mobility Issues
You know your elderly loved one best, and that includes their normal behaviors and personality. Be sure to look out for any changes in their disposition and habits, even seemingly slight ones, as changes could be a sign of a dementia-related illness. And if your elderly loved one is showing multiple signs of cognitive decline, it may be time to consider a memory care community for them.
Learn More About Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge is a memory care community located in Essex Junction offering dementia care assisted living for people throughout the immediate area. Our memory care programming, called Behavior-Based Ergonomics Therapies (BBET), has been recognized nationally for its excellence. Our program’s mindful, non-pharmacological approach is based on research and best practice. It consists of four main areas: music therapy, video therapy, stimulating therapy, and memory prop therapy. All are geared toward the needs of the specific person, and a study has shown a two-thirds improvement in mood and behavioral issues following six months of BBET. Put simply: our program has been proven to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses improve their quality of life.
If you’d like to learn more about everything Maple Ridge has to offer, please contact us to schedule a tour today. We look forward to meeting you!