This involves a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Here are 10 of the warning signs. If you or a loved one notice any of them, schedule an appointment with your personal physician.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems like following recipes or paying monthly bills.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks, like remembering rules of a familiar game, organizing a grocery list, or driving to a familiar location.
- Confusion with time or place, like where they are or how they got there.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This may lead to difficulty with balance or reading.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing. Difficulty following conversations and struggle naming familiar objects.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace their steps to find them. As the disease progresses, they often think others have “stolen” items.
- Decreased or poor judgement. Most noticeable when associated with good grooming or money issues.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities, often having difficulty keeping up with favorite activities like card games or team activities.
- Changes in mood and personality becoming confused, depressed, suspicious or anxious.
Many of us occasionally experience some of these traits which can be normal signs of aging. However, if you are concerned for yourself or a loved one, please see a doctor. The sooner we are diagnosed, the sooner we can find resources to help mitigate or slow the progression of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Contact Senior Solutions and investigate resources through the Vermont Alzheimer’s Association. Senior Solutions has Memory Cafés and volunteer visitors and community partners who can help you manage your situation or that of your loved one. At this point in time our home caregiver respite grants are all filled. There are other ways we can help, so call the HelpLine at: 802-885-2669 and ask. Also, if you need help at home please go to the website and enter your request through the portal.
