Senior Care for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. It is considered the primary reason why a person experiences dementia. Once a person is diagnosed to have Alzheimer’s disease, it is expected that he will experience progressive deterioration in intellect that will result in decline in his daily activity. The most significant of all the symptoms is loss in memory. Memory impairment starts with minor forgetfulness that progresses steadily, usually leading to what is called a stage of “second childhood.” The memories retained usually are the older memories. As the disorder progresses, problems in the intellect continually spreads in range, affecting language, coordination of movements, recognition and decision-making abilities.
Senior Issues
If you find yourself forgetting an appointment or a word here and there, then you have no need for alarm. Most of the aging population suffers from some senior issues related to memory loss and decreased brain function. By the time we reach 60, several changes take place in our brains that are beyond our control.
Just as our skin gets drier and our muscles grow weaker, the neurotransmitters in our brain slows down and the muscle mass shrinks slightly. This can be a confusing process, but it’s something we can cope with. We learn to make notes and write things down. We keep phone numbers next to the phone and arrange a designated “key spot.”
Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease because it robs a person of their ability to function. The disease is also damaging to family and friends as it is very difficult to watch a parent, brother, sister or friend progress to the point where they don’t recognize anyone. The burden of caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is significant. At some point in time, a family will have to look for assistance with the care.
Most “board and care” and “assisted living facilities” are willing and capable of providing for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s. These facilities are similar to nursing homes, but with less of an institutional atmosphere. If, however, a senior becomes increasingly disoriented, perhaps even occasionally wandering away, they may require a facility with a dementia waiver.
The Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s
The early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia often go unnoticed and are chalked up to the normal natural aging process that healthy older adults experience, such as forgeting someones name, or losing your keys.
The early symptoms are usually noticed by friends and family first, and the person who is having symptoms should consult a doctor. Some of these early signs of Alzheimer’s include mood and personality changes, such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, and childish behaviors.
