Where are my keys? Why did I come in this room? What was I about to do?
At some point and time we have all had memory problems. Even young, healthy people can have “senior moments.” So how can a caregiver tell the subtle difference between normal age-related memory lapses and signs of Alzheimer’s disease – the leading type of dementia? While only a doctor can diagnose dementia there are signs to be mindful of. Many people have memory loss issues — this does not mean they have Alzheimer’s or another dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases.
Let’s look at some of the subtle and early signs of dementia.
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Difficulty remembering recent events
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Poor judgement and decision-making
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Losing track of the date or season
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Difficulty completing small tasks
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Changes in mood or personality
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Difficulty holding conversations or repeating the same stories over again
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misplacing things often
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withdrawal from social activities
Forgetfulness can happen at any age but it is not always Alzheimer’s disease. If you notice a loved-one’s memory loss getting worse or having a significant effect on daily life, see a doctor. To read more read HealthLine at http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/early-warning-signs-dementia.