What you need to know about early signs of Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease gradually deteriorates memory, thinking, learning, and organisational abilities. According to Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 9.5 million people in the UK are affected by dementia, with the number expected to rise to over 1 million by 2030 and over 1.6 million by 2050. One in every three people born in the United Kingdom this year is expected to develop dementia.
As Alzheimer's disease becomes more common, it is critical for family members to be aware of and identify early signs of the disease in order to take appropriate action. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, early detection can lead to better care and treatment as the disease progresses.
Some of the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
1. Memory loss
One of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is memory loss. Most people in the early stages of Alzheimer's will forget recently learned information and may forget important dates and events, as well as ask the same questions repeatedly.
2. Confusion about time and place
People suffering from Alzheimer's disease may lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. People with these symptoms often get confused about both time and place, and they often forget where they are or how they got there.
3. Difficulty with routine tasks
Many people find it difficult to perform routine tasks such as watering plants or driving to a familiar location. In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, people often have trouble doing things they've done before, and they may lose the ability to do simple chores on their own over time
4. Difficulty planning and problem solving
Some people with Alzheimer's may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have difficulty managing a budget, following directions or recipes, or keeping track of mail. Furthermore, these individuals may struggle to deal with daily annoyances such as misplaced items or scheduling conflicts. These symptoms are frequently accompanied by difficulty concentrating and frustration.
5. Difficulty understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Vision problems can be a sign of Alzheimer's disease, causing difficulty with balance or reading. They may also have difficulty interpreting colour and contrast and may be unable to drive due to dangerous and disorienting issues with depth perception.
6. Mood and personality changes
Families of Alzheimer's patients may notice mood and personality changes in their loved ones. They may become perplexed, suspicious, depressed, afraid, or anxious as a result of their experiences. They may become easily agitated at home, with friends, or when they are out of their comfort zone.
7. Speaking or writing difficulty
If you notice that someone you know is frequently stopping mid-sentence, stumbling over words, using confusing phrases, or repeating themselves, it's time for a medical evaluation. They will have difficulty following or joining a conversation, or they may struggle with vocabulary, such as having difficulty naming a familiar object or using the incorrect name (e.g., calling an "oven" a "cooking box").
8. Misplacing items and losing the ability to retrace steps
If your loved one places items in unusual places, it's time to see a doctor. Confusion and a lack of short-term memory are both early signs of the disease that can quickly progress to full-blown Alzheimer's. They may misplace items and be unable to retrace their steps to locate them, or they may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
9. Withdrawal from work and reduced social activities
A person with Alzheimer's disease may experience changes in their ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, community involvement, or other social gatherings. Often, these people will try to downplay their withdrawal, and it is up to friends and family to identify the symptom because these people may be at a higher risk of depressive symptoms and require immediate help and support.
10. Poor judgement or a lack of risk assessment
People with Alzheimer's disease exhibit poor judgement when it comes to money, safety, or personal belongings. For example, they may pay less attention to personal hygiene or grooming, leave water taps or stoves on, and so on.
Is Alzheimer's disease inherited?
According to the Alzheimer's Society UK, the most important risk factor for Alzheimer's is age, as it is most common in people in their late 70s and early 80s. However, early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (for example, in people younger than 60 years old) has a high likelihood of being passed down in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that one copy of an altered gene in each cell is enough to cause the disorder. In most cases, an affected person inherits the altered gene from another affected person.
The inheritance pattern of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. People who inherit one copy of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele (a protein involved in fat metabolism in mammals, a subtype is linked to Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease) are more likely to develop the disease; those who inherit two copies are even more likely. It is important to note that people who carry the APOE e4 allele inherit an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease rather than the disease itself. Not everyone with Alzheimer's disease has the e4 allele, and not everyone who has the e4 allele will develop the disease.
What should you do if a loved one has Alzheimer's?
Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease tend to be very independent, and many affected people continue to drive, maintain social lives, volunteer, and stay in touch with family. During this stage, family and friends can give strong emotional and mental support and help plan for future care.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, people frequently experience noticeable changes in their personality, physical abilities, ability to function independently, and so on. Typically, these changes occur gradually, and affected individuals are able to maintain some level of independence throughout those years. During this time, family and friends should act as advocates for the affected person, assisting them with routine tasks such as making appointments, reminding them of dates or events, taking medications on time, and practising basic hygiene. Although these tasks may appear minor and insignificant, they will be of great assistance to the affected person.
Nurses Group Homecare can provide trained and experienced carers to help you or a loved one deal with Alzheimer's disease. We can tailor the care plan to your specific needs and make changes as your Alzheimer's progresses.