Alzheimer’s Awareness With Early Screening
Donna Nichols • November 8, 2021
Why should you get checked for Alzheimer’s disease?
As I state in all my blog posts, early detection is the key !!
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but if detected early you can control it with medication and proper living.
This will also give you the time you need to decide if a memory care community would be best for you or your loved one.
How do you know if you should get checked?
If you notice any of the signs below, please see your doctor immediately.
Signs of Alzheimer’s disease are:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
The signs above may not even be Alzheimer’s, but if they are an early diagnosis allows you the following benefits…
Benefits of an early diagnosis:
- Access to treatment options earlier; this may help lessen the intensity of the disease on your brain. The medications for Alzheimer’s are effective at slowing the progression of the disease so an early diagnosis may help in keeping your current cognitive functioning.
- You will have the option to participate in clinical trials which may provide more medical benefits. Many of these trials are open to those with early stages of Alzheimer’s thus allowing you to participate and perhaps making it easier for you to benefit from the trial medications.
- You will be able to record the memories you have so when the disease progresses you can look back at the things that were of importance to you. Take pictures and create a photo book, write a journal, or make a video, however you choose to record the memories will serve as a cherished keepsake.
- You will have the chance to improve your health now. You can make healthier changes to the way you live your life; quit smoking, exercise, control your blood pressure and get out there and be active physically and mentally. All of those can help to improve your cognitive functioning.
- An early diagnosis gives the caregiver time to prepare for what is coming; it will give them the opportunity to understand what is going to happen and learn how best to support the person with Alzheimer’s.
- You will have the opportunity to plan for the future concerning your health care. You can designate your health care surrogate and power of attorney while you’re still of sound mind. You are able to make your financial decisions during this time as well.
- This is the time to become informed about what to expect as your disease progresses. Visit support groups with your caregiver to become educated on what your caregiver will be dealing with to help prepare them as well as yourself.
As you can see, there are many reasons for early screening for Alzheimer’s disease. This is a very debilitating disease and can wreak havoc on a family that is not educated. Assisted Living Made Simple holds three Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups a month; don’t try to do this alone!
Should you feel the time has come for a memory care community, we can help with that also. Please call us first! Our service is free! We care about YOU and YOUR loved one and are here to help! 386-847-2322
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