Understanding Alzheimer’s: Early Signs and Care Tips

Nearly 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that affects a person’s memory and thinking. June is Brain and Alzheimer’s Awareness month, making it the ideal time to learn about Alzheimer’s and discover tips for caring for someone with dementia. 

Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia. It’s a progressive brain condition that affects a person’s memory and thinking skills. 

Alzheimer’s is a slow progressive disease, which makes early signs and symptoms hard to detect. Many individuals can live years without realizing they have Alzheimer’s because individuals, and even doctors, may dismiss these signs as standard age-related brain changes. 

While not everyone who experiences these signs and symptoms will develop Alzheimer’s, they can be early signals that an individual's memory and thinking changes are not typical signs of aging.

• Memory challenges that disrupt daily activities, such as forgetting where things are in the home or forgetting the names of people and everyday items
• Getting lost or easily turned around in familiar places
• Regularly losing or misplacing things in unusual places, such as putting keys in the cupboard or shoes in a dresser drawer
• Making poor judgment calls that result in bad decisions 
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks like dressing or bathing

Since Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, these signs and symptoms will become more apparent with time. In more severe or late stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals may experience more physical symptoms like trouble communicating, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, or a loss of bladder or bowel control.

Alzheimer’s Care Tips

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is hard work. If you’ve newly found yourself in the role of a family caregiver, consider these tips to help ease the transition and provide exceptional care to your loved one. 

The Alzheimer's Association Central and North Florida Chapter offers additional resources for family caregivers and those with dementia. 

Have Empathy And Patience 

Empathy and patience are essential qualities to practice as a family caregiver caring for someone with dementia. People with dementia need extra time to complete tasks, answer questions, or make decisions. Give your loved one the time to do those things without putting pressure on them to do things faster. 

Remember to practice empathy and try to understand your loved one’s position. They’re doing their best, and even when they may act frustrated or mad, remember it’s nothing personal. They’re simply trying to navigate the difficult changes that come with dementia.

Stick To A Routine 

Routines are often helpful for people with dementia because they create daily expectations so your loved one knows what to expect. Routines can also help lower stress and build confidence. Routines can be relatively simple, like waking and eating at the same time every day or having scheduled activities for your loved one each day, like reading after lunch or taking a walk after they wake up. 

Take Care Of Yourself

One of the best things you can do as a family caregiver is to take care of yourself. You can not take the best possible care of a loved one if you’re not properly caring for yourself. Make sure you’re taking time to relax and unwind and don’t hesitate to reach out for help from other loved ones. 

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can feel lonely at times. It’s not uncommon to feel like no one in your inner circle understands what you’re going through. Sometimes, it can help connect with other family caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia through a support group. 

Alzheimer Care With Visiting Angels 

You don’t have to care for your loved one alone. At Visiting Angels, we understand that not everyone has a nearby support system to help with daily tasks and keep loved ones safe. That’s where we come in.

Our compassionate caregivers assist clients with nonmedical tasks like light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation to appointments, grooming assistance, and more. We offer various at-home care services, including Dementia and Alzheimer's Care for those with dementia. We also have Respite Care Services for family caregivers seeking temporary relief from their caregiving duties. 

Contact our Lady Lake office today to learn more about our services and schedule your complimentary consultation.