Health & Prevention

Alzheimer’s: Signs Before the Signs

Posted by Wendy Minton Edwards in category on July 25, 2012

Most everyone knows that Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by memory loss.  We all wonder if Alzheimer's has set in when we forget something, misplace something, or can't find something that is important to us.  Truth be told, all of us, whether resulting from Alzheimer's or not, experience some of these dilemmas.

However, excessive memory loss is one of the telltale signs of various types of dementia.  There are also five key signs that sometimes show up before memory problems are apparent.  Do not be alarmed.  These indicators do not foretell Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, but can provide a warning to be on the lookout.  The precursor signals include:

• Personality Changes - Someone normally jolly and agreeable can become grumpy and uncooperative.
• Cognitive Function Changes - Someone normally mentally sharp may develop problems with multi-function tasks.
• Vision Problems - Someone possessing good vision may develop problems with depth perception and visual and spatial judgment.
• Language Problems - Someone normally articulate may develop problems thinking of appropriate words.
• Social Problems - Someone normally socially active may become socially withdrawn.

Pay attention to yourself and the aging adults you love.  Be on the alert for other signals that may indicate early onset of dementia of any form.  Early diagnosis, appropriate medication, and assistance can make a huge difference in slowing down dementia progression.

Contact NCBAM for more information about Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dreaded dementia.