Recognizing the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is important, as it gives families the chance to seek formal diagnoses, establish feasible treatment and care plans, and prepare for the future. If you’re concerned your aging loved one may be showing some of the signs of Alzheimer’s, keep in mind that a person’s family members are far more likely to identify uncharacteristic behaviors than his or her own physician. The following are just a few of the most easily identifiable signs your older loved one may be experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Difficulty with Routine Tasks
People who have Alzheimer’s often find it difficult to complete routine tasks. Remembering how a favorite game is played, driving to and from a familiar location, or handling everyday responsibilities could lead to confusion and frustration. These difficulties will often begin to occur with increasing frequency.
Seniors with early-stage Alzheimer’s may need help performing daily tasks around the house. Homecare services professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Disorientation
It’s also common for seniors with Alzheimer’s to lose track of time. They might find it difficult to pinpoint the month, year, or day. There are even times when seniors might not know where they are and may even express nervousness concerning how they got there.
Frequently Losing Items
People with Alzheimer’s frequently lose their belongings. This is because they have a tendency to put things in strange places, such as storing car keys in the refrigerator or freezer. They often lack the ability to retrace their steps as well, which can make it nearly impossible to locate items of importance.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Arlington families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help their senior loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Limited Social Engagement
During lucid moments, seniors with Alzheimer’s are often cognizant of the changes they’re experiencing and fearful of the way these changes are impacting their lives. This often leads to withdrawal from social activities and all other forms of social engagement. Remembering how to engage in a familiar hobby or participate in a favorite activity could prove difficult as well.
Mood Changes
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s tend to feel anxious, depressed, confused, and suspicious. Attempting to stay on task, handle responsibilities, or simply manage the challenges of the day can be overwhelming. Thus, it’s not uncommon for seniors to experience marked changes in their personalities as new problems arise. Being cognizant of these developments allows family members to seek the timely medical treatment their loved ones require.
A trained professional caregiver can be a fantastic resource when it comes to helping your loved one handle agitation, confusion, frustration, and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Assisting Hands Home Care is a leading Arlington senior care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (703) 997-4334 today.
