Source: The Care Guide

While memory lapses are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, a few episodes of forgetfulness aren’t enough to rush to a diagnosis in your loved one. Alzheimer’s, a brain disorder affecting 300,000 Canadians, affects not only memory but also language, learning, thought and behaviour. People with the disease have increasing difficulty interpreting their environment, communicating their thoughts and making sense of the world.

Someone developing Alzheimer’s may actually appear to “lose” words, especially those learned most recently. A 2005 British study asked 96 people with Alzheimer’s and 40 healthy people, all of similar ages and backgrounds, to list all the animals they could think of in one minute, then all the types of fruit in another minute. For each category, those with Alzheimer’s averaged 10 to 15 words, as opposed to 20 to 25 in the healthy group. Those animals and fruits learned later in life seemed to have dropped out of the Alzheimer’s vocabulary.

DID YOU KNOW...
More than 26 million people in the world have Alzheimer’s or a related disease, a number expected to reach 106 million by 2050.

People with Alzheimer’s also have greater difficulty finding the words to express what they want to say or engaging in a lively conversation. They may feel disoriented in a new environment, or sometimes even in a familiar one. They may lose interest in activities that once brought them pleasure.

All these symptoms can signal other problems, too, including depression, bladder infection, side effects from a drug, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease or even vision or hearing problems. It’s essential to get a doctor’s assessment as early as possible. Diagnosis requires a multifaceted approach that essentially involves ruling out other causes. Whether it’s Alzheimer’s or something else, early diagnosis can help your loved one get started on the right road for treatment.

If you notice a pattern of the following behaviours, especially in conjunction with memory lapses, it’s important to ensure your loved one gets checked out by a doctor. Encourage them to make an appointment; offer to accompany them; and if they refuse to go, consider sharing your concerns yourself with their doctor.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN A LOVED ONE:

» a pattern of deteriorating hygiene, such as unlaundered clothes, uncombed hair, neglected teeth, dirty dishes piling up in the sink

» increasing difficulty managing money, doing the banking, balancing a cheque book

» signs of poor nutrition or dehydration, such as losing weight, lack of interest in meals, light-headedness, dizziness

» inability to manage medication

» confusion or disorientation, especially when there are lots of people and noise

» signs of listlessness, depression or stress that linger for several weeks

» erratic or inappropriate behaviour, such as taking an umbrella on a sunny day or buying a baby toy for a 10-year-old grandchild

» uncharacteristic and excessive TV watching or sleeping

» concerns expressed by your loved one’s other relatives, neighbours or friends.