The Central and North Florida Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.
Ten early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are defined on their website. I would like to share these with you as there is often confusion about what is normal age related forgetfulness and what may require some analysis to determine if there is a more serious issue.
#1. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
#2. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
#3. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
#4. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
#5. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
#6. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
#7. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
#8. People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
#9. A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
#10. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
When caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, one can become isolated, feeling a responsibility to be present and responsible, and forgetting to take care of oneself, to reach out for support and understanding to others who understand their journey.
The local Alzheimer’s Family Organization (AFO) provides a variety of services throughout our community, including:
Local Area Support Groups
AFO supports 27 local support groups in the Tri-County area for Caregivers and families of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Anyone who is providing care is welcome to attend any of these support groups. Support groups are free to everyone.
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization was founded and earned 501C3 status in 1999. It is a member of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and is supported in part by United Way.
The organization was formed specifically to reach out to help caregivers, and provide them and their loved ones with educational programs, support services and personal assistance, including respite programs and caregiver days.
Respite Care Assistance Program provides financial assistance to organization members and their loved ones. The caregiver can arrange for their own respite care needs, using either in home services provided through home health agency, neighbor, and friends or institutionally based short-term respite such as adult day care, Assisted Living Facility or nursing home care.
Wanderer’s Identification Program
AFO has a joint program with various Sheriff’s Departments to help identify and quickly return wandering memory impaired persons to their homes. The program helps identify – with a pendant or bracelet that has been engraved with the patient’s first name, nickname, code number and a central telephone number for the Sheriff’s Department. This program ensures that those suffering from memory disorders are protected and caregivers are relieved of much of their anxiety.
Pardon My Companion Cards
These cards enable caregivers to provide an explanation concerning any unusual behavior by the Alzheimer’s disease patient while in public.
Emergency Placement Directives
This service allows caregivers the opportunity to ensure that, in the event of a caregiver emergency, the dementia patient will be cared for. The caregiver makes all pre-arrangements with help from AFO Resource lists.
Education, Training, Seminars, Resources
Throughout each year, AFO sponsors a variety of events, including Caregiver Days, educational presentations and seminars specifically designed to help caregivers cope with daily living.
Help Line
The Help Line is a telephone volunteer service that provides information on caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
For more information call
888-496-8004 or 727-849-7707
PLEASE VOLUNTEER! THE ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY ORGANIZATION NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Alzheimer’s Family Organization needs hundreds of volunteers to host its SECOND ANNUAL ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SUPPORT WALK at The Villages Polo Field on Saturday, April 5th.
THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION MEETING for THE ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SUPPORT WALK will be held on Wednesday, January 8th at 9 am at the Savannah Center (1545 Buena Vista Blvd. The Villages, FL 32162 (the corner of El Camino Real and Buena Vista Boulevard).
Please join them to find out how you can help your neighbors and friends who are dealing with this debilitating disease. Refreshments will be served.
According to state records, there are now 20,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in our Tri-County area of Lake, Sumter and South Marion counties. The average duration of the disease is 8 years.
80% of all care given is provided at home by family members. In many cases, it is the health and well being of the caregivers themselves that is compromised.
AFO needs hundreds of volunteers, not only on April 5th, but leading up to the event. Whether you volunteer to help package T-shirts or to serve refreshments, you will be making a huge difference to help Alzheimer’s caregivers and their families.
SPECIAL NOTE: Unlike many national organizations, the funds you help raise stay in the local communities AFO serves.
PLEASE JOIN ALZHEIMER’SFAMILY ORGANIZATION ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH
TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP.
CALL TODAY 1-888-496-8004 to RSVP.
For questions or comments, please contact Jane Bloom, The Other Daughter, www.theotherdaughter.org, 425 299 6020 or email janeinthevillages@gmail.com
