Everyone forgets something sometimes and some of us forget more things than others due to distractions, too many responsibilities, or a lack of interest. But when everyday forgetfulness starts to interfere with managing important aspects of a person’s day – like home care, physical care, or financial decisions, it could be due to Alzheimer’s disease.
How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Memory
Alzheimer’s disease occurs when there are amyloid plaques and tangled fibers in the brain, thus creating a loss of connections between nerve cells. The damage from this occurrence will first develop in the hippocampus, the area of the brain involved in memory formation. As the disease progresses, the damage also spreads to other parts of the brain. According to 2024 statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 7 million Americans 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
These Memory Mistakes May Indicate Alzheimer’s Disease
Inability to Remember Keywords or Names
It’s not uncommon for anyone to forget the name of a neighbor they met six months ago in passing, or to even forget the name of a new restaurant in town. But when your loved one forgets extremely common names, such as McDonald’s or the name of his sister, it could be a good indicator that this is not just normal forgetfulness.
Difficulty in Following Directions
For some families, the first thing they notice is that their loved one who used to be a great cook can’t seem to cook anymore. The cookies are missing sugar, the roast is burnt, and other things that he used to do well are often messed up lately. He might be struggling to follow the directions on a recipe card because he can’t remember if he did the prior step.
Short-Term Memory Loss
Again, some forgetfulness is normal, like not remembering what he ate at lunch yesterday with his nephew. A more serious indication of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease is completely forgetting he went to lunch with his nephew yesterday.
Missteps with Finances
The memory issue can be tough for family members to spot if they aren’t actively involved in their loved one’s finances. However, memory loss can cause your loved one to forget to pay important bills or overdraft his account because he paid bills twice in one month. Memory loss may also cause him to buy too much of a product because he forgot he already purchased it.
Getting Lost
Memory plays an important part in knowing how to get places and how to return home. If your loved one is getting lost on familiar routes, it might be due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Providing the Best Alzheimer’s Care for Your Loved One
In the early stages of the disease, your aging loved one may just need a bit more help around the home. When forgetfulness comes into play and causes stress or possible serious errors, it can help to have someone around to provide Alzheimer’s Care to your loved one. A professional Alzheimer’s care provider who regularly visits your loved one can step in and help them remember to complete the chores that need to be done, pay the bills that need to be paid, and make it to appointments that have been scheduled. With caring skills, they will help your loved one remain independent without making them feel inferior or that he’s a burden to others.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Anthem, NV, please contact the caring staff at Compassion Crest Home Care today at (702) 385-0920
Compassion Crest Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Las Vegas, NV, and the surrounding areas.
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