This article first appeared in the September / October 2009 issue of Chesterfield Living magazine, authored by Joan Tupponce. We thought it would be helpful for those young and old to be aware of the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and to do what you can to prevent or prolong it as much as possible.
Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
You may not realize it but Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. “It’s a disease that progresses to the point that people die from it,” explains Sherry Peterson, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Richmond.
Every 70 seconds someone will develop Alzheimer’s. Currently over 5 million Americans are living with the disease.
Researchers have found a connection between heart health and brain health but the public doesn’t seem to understand the importance of the find. “You want to diet, exercise and watch the important numbers like cholesterol and blood pressure,” Peterson says.
She is seeing an increase in the number of people under the age of 65 showing signs of the disease. “We are getting more calls from people in their 50s,” she says. “These people may still be working and raising children. We’ve even had people [with signs] as young as in their 40s.”
Currently there are no tests that accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s but there are 10 signs of the disease as listed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Memory changes that disrupt life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
- Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.
Here at Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we help hundreds of people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease every single day. Sometimes simple things like giving medication or appointment reminders and providing companionship services help those with the disease to better cope and stay in their own homes or independent living facilities longer, enjoying more freedoms and better quality of life for several more years.
We also remove the stress from families who are taking care of a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s because we can be the person lending an extra hand to help out around the loved one’s home and simply be there when the family is unable.
For in home care, personal care and companionship services right here in the Richmond area, please call 804.527.1100 to schedule an appointment.
