The Caring Corner®

10 Warning Signs of Dementia

December 7, 2015

An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. Getting dementia is a huge concern as people get older and there are some signs of memory loss that are important to recognize and address if you are experiencing them.

 

1. Memory loss that interrupts daily life like forgetting birthdays or special events or needing to rely on family members for more things and not being able to handle things yourself anymore.

2. Challenges with solving problems or planning like paying bills or following directions.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks like driving to the store or forgetting how to do certain tasks.

4. Confusion with time or place such as forgetting where you are or how you got there.

5. Withdrawal from social activities or work or trouble keeping up with your favorite hobby or sports team.

6. Changes is mood such as becoming suspicious, depressed or confused.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps by putting things in unusual places, losing things or accusing others of stealing because of failure to remember where you placed something.

8. Decreased or poor judgment by giving away too much money to a telemarketer or not being able to pay bills or manage money.

9. Trouble with reading comprehension, judging distances or determining colors or contrasts.

10. Failure to take care of yourself or appearance by not bathing, brushing your teeth or your hair.

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call and schedule an appointment with a doctor. Early detection can help you get the best treatments that are available.

 

 

Have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s in the Chapel Hill or Durham area?

Need a qualified person to provide in home care?

Acorn can help you get qualified, compassionate in home care givers.

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