June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and according to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 50 million people worldwide who are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, which is an overall term describing a group of symptoms.
A degenerative brain disease facing many families, Alzheimer’s does have some early signs you can look for:
- A disruption in daily life due to memory loss
- Problem-solving or planning challenges
- Familiar tasks are difficult to complete
- Confusion related to time or place
- Visual images or spatial relationships become troublesome to understand
- In speaking or writing, new problems with words become evident
- The ability to retrace steps is lost and the misplacement of things increases
- Judgment decreases or becomes poor
- Change or withdrawal from hobbies, social activities, or work
- Mood or personality changes
As with any disease, early detection is crucial; with Alzheimer’s, getting checked as soon as possible can provide both the patient and their caregiver with early benefits. Knowing for certain if Alzheimer’s is the diagnosis can present the patient with opportunities for available initial treatment options as well as a chance to participate in clinical trials. Because time is crucial, knowing the diagnosis sooner can help alleviate anxiety and assist the patient in better understanding the future. With more time to plan, families can make their decisions with their loved ones and begin building their support network.
The Alzheimer’s Association has many valuable tools, resources, research, and assistance for those faced with this degenerative brain disease. For more information, please visit: Alzheimer’s Association.
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