The Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 warning signs for the disease. Early detection is important so you and your loved ones can seek necessary help in a timely manner.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. A common sign of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recently learned information, important dates, and events or asking the same information over and over.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble driving to a familiar location,  remembering rules of a favorite game or managing a budget at
   work.
4. Confusion with time or place. People with the disease can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Some people may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. Alzheimer’s patients may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue, or
   they may repeat themselves.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person affected by the disease may put things in unusual places and may not be able to retrace their steps to find the lost object.
8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with the disease may use poor judgment when dealing with money, or they may pay less attention
   to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies and social events because they have trouble keeping up or remembering how to complete their favorite hobby.
10. Changes in mood and personality. People may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs for yourself or a loved one, contact your doctor immediately. Remember, there are resources to help you through this
difficult time like the Alzheimer’s Association and MediNurse. For more information, reach out to us at www.medinurse.com or call 314-281-7800.