I want to say first of all that I am not a doctor. I’ve never even played one on TV. I’m a daughter who is living with Alzheimer’s every single day. I not only live with it, I’ve made it my mission to learn everything I can about it so that I can share it with you. If you suspect your loved one has Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia I urge you to take them to their family doctor. There are medicines on the market that can slow down the effects, but these medicines work best in the early stages. Not sure what that stage they may be in check out my post, “7 Stages of Alzheimer’s”.
MEMORY
- Forgetting things like turning off the stove
- Taking medications
- Letting the dog out
- Automobile accidents
- Getting lost
JUDGEMENT
- Letting strangers into their homes
- Making unsound financial decisions
- Giving large sums of money to charities
- Not locking doors
HEALTH
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Weight gain
- Unhealthy eating habits
COGNITIVE
- Repeating things over & over
- Not hearing (understanding) what you are saying
- Getting confused easily
SOCIALLY
- Lack of enthusiasm
- Subdued or agitated during family get-togethers
- Forgetting appointments or plans
- Withdrawing from cherished hobbies
DIETARY CHANGES
- Eating more junk food especially sweets
- Buying the exact same thing at the grocery every single week
- Fixing one item meals such as soup, sandwiches, or pre-packaged meals
- Eating more frequently
- Avoiding restaurants
PERSONAL HYGIENE
- Not bathing
- Wearing the same clothes over and over again
- Not keeping stylist appts or styling hair as normal
- Not painting nails or putting it on sloppily if they used to wear it often
- Not shaving, wearing deodorant, cleaning dentures, or brushing teeth
- Wearing too many clothes or dressing inappropriately
- Not getting dressed at all
FINANCIAL
- Forgetting to pay bills
- Overdrafts
- Giving away large sums of money
- No longer able to balance a checkbook
What should you do if you see these signs in your loved one?
- KNOW THE SIGNS
- SEE A DR.
- DECIDE ON A PRIMARY CAREGIVER
- GET A POA
- MAKE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE (Living wills or DNR)
This is just a broad list of signs to be aware of, but you can find more information on alz.org, alzfdn.org or Alzheimer’s Reading Room.
Claudia Schmidt says
July 25, 2016 at 10:52 amThese are very useful tips, Rena. A dear friends mom is starting to exhibit some of these signs and we’re all getting a little worried. If it turns out that she has Alzheimer’s I will be sending her to your blog for more insight and helpful information. xo
Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 5:58 pmI hope it turns out to be something different, but if not I’m here for her.
Lois Alter Mark says
July 25, 2016 at 11:11 amThis is such important information, and I really appreciate you sharing it. Thanks for being such a great resource.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 5:59 pmThank you for always being supportive.
Michelle says
July 25, 2016 at 11:58 amThese things are good to know. Although on a “lighter side” … I probably have about 5 of these! The reason I say that is because we often think these things are “normal” parts of aging, but you have covered many we often don’t think about – like “letting strangers into their homes.” Who would have thought. Thank you for sharing.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 5:59 pmI think we all have a couple, thank you for the support.
Cheryl Nicholl says
July 25, 2016 at 12:11 pmYou truly are a great resource and all of these tips are so useful.. Thank you for always sharing your passion- and knowledge.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:00 pmThank you that means so much to me.
Haralee says
July 25, 2016 at 12:34 pmThese are all great tips. Thanks Rena for sharing your insights. . My Mother was eating tea and toast 3 times a day. That was our first sign that she was more than depressed living alone. She went into assisted living , her choice, and really perked up. 4 years in we saw another trait, not balancing her check book which she had always taken pride to the penny and not locking the door of her apartment. When questioned she dismissed this but then other pattern emerged and then another that was just not her. It is a disease that creeps up!
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:02 pmIt’s gradual and sneaky, it’s hard to tell the difference in aging and Alzheimer’s sometimes.
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski says
July 25, 2016 at 3:21 pmExcellent tips and what everyone should know about. Thanks for providing them.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:02 pmThank you for the support.
Liv says
July 25, 2016 at 4:34 pmA very practical view – and helpful. Thanks – sharing!
Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:02 pmThank you.
Kymberly says
July 25, 2016 at 7:00 pmYup, that really is the question – at what point does “memory loss”become full fledged dementia or Alzheimer’s? Your list is helpful, though I am sad my mom’s symptoms appear in several places.
Kymberly recently posted…Exercise, Nutrition, and Brain Games Make Your Dog Smarter. You Too!
Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:06 pmSometimes it’s hard to tell a difference, especially when most people are reluct to admit they are having a problem.
Carol Cassara says
July 25, 2016 at 7:33 pmThere can never be enough educational info out there, Rena. People still find it hard to believe when they see these symptoms.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:07 pmI know we lived in denial for some time.
Cathy Lawdanski says
July 25, 2016 at 8:24 pmThis is so important, Rena. Will be sharing with the MySideof50 FB Group
Cathy Lawdanski recently posted…Lessons Learned From The Sickbed
Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:07 pmThank you for the support.
Leanne says
July 26, 2016 at 12:25 amI can see so many of these things in my dad when I look back – the getting lost, the repeating, the lack of personal hygiene (I’m not dirty so I don’t need to shower) and so on – it’s good for people to know what to look out for and to recognize it before it’s too late.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:08 pmThat’s my only hope.
Karen @BakingInATornado says
July 26, 2016 at 12:03 pmSo succinctly and well put, Rena. They are scary signs, but we need to know to look for them, and what to do if we start seeing a few.
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Rena McDaniel says
August 1, 2016 at 6:10 pmIt can be very overwhelming in the beginning trying to decide if there is a problem or not. Hopefully I can shed some light on the matter, thank you for the support as always.
Abby@midlifecrisisnut.com says
August 1, 2016 at 6:01 pmThis quite an extensive and heartbreaking list! Thank you for putting it together, I’m sure it will be very useful to many! xxAbby
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Roshni says
August 8, 2016 at 6:52 pmThis is indeed very helpful, Rena! I will share it with a family member whose wife may be showing signs.
AlexandraFunFit says
September 23, 2016 at 5:32 pmOur mom has a lot of these symptoms now. And for the first time, she didn’t recognize my son, her grandkid
Rena McDaniel says
September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pmThat’s always heartbreaking Alexandra. I’m so sorry!
McKenzie says
August 29, 2017 at 10:40 amThank you for compiling and sharing this list. It is very important to know the specific behaviors you might be looking for or when it is time to go see a physician. Very helpful!
McKenzie recently posted…Five Summer Safety Tips for Seniors