If you are concerned that your aging parent might be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, simply paying close attention when you are with them can illuminate issues that could further indicate this condition so you can bring them to the attention of your senior’s doctor. Using your basic senses to evaluate your parent and their behavior is an important part of detecting changes that could be troublesome.
Some things to listen for when evaluating whether your senior may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease include:
• Pay attention if your aging parent repeats the same story or question to you several times. While anyone can forget that they have said something and repeat it, a senior saying the same thing over and over can be an indication of something serious.
• Listen to what your parent says and the words that they use. Even in the early stages of the disease, seniors with Alzheimer’s disease may begin to struggle with communication. This can include not being able to find the right word, hesitating when talking, and using nonsensical sounds or words to replace words when talking.
• Engage in your conversations with your parent and take note if they say anything that might seem strange, such as referencing spending time with, talking to, or making plans to see people who are deceased or who have moved away, planning holidays or events that are far away, or talking about people as though they are a different age than they are.
• It is a common misconception that people with Alzheimer’s do not know what is happening to them. Most seniors with this disease do know that they are experiencing changes in their function and abilities. Talk to your parent and pay attention if they mention that they are struggling with memory, making plans, judgment, or other issues that could indicate that they are struggling with cognitive functioning decline
If your parent has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or their challenges and symptoms have increased to the point that you feel they would benefit from additional care and support, now may be the ideal time to consider starting home care for them. Whether it is early in your parent’s progression with the disease or they have been coping with it for some time and have reached a more challenging stage, this in-home senior care services provider can make a tremendous difference in their life and the life of you as their family caregiver. This care provider can step in to fill care gaps, provide services that enable you to take time away from your care efforts and focus on other obligations in your life, as well as yourself, and encourage your loved one to maintain a lifestyle that is more active, independent, and fulfilling throughout their progression.
https://www.alz.org/facts/
https://alz.org/10-signs-symptoms-alzheimers-dementia.asp
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Elkhorn, NE, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors® Greater Omaha at (402) 215-0308 today.