I often hear, “Is my memory loss Alzheimer’s”? No, maybe, yes…is the easy answer. What the researchers do know is the process of Alzheimer’s dementia starts way before significant symptoms affect the quality of daily living. Sometimes it isn’t memory that is the first sign recognized by family or individual. It could be confusion or trouble with finances or a major change in personality.
However, once someone is over 50 and they start forgetting where they parked the car or left the checkbook, they begin to worry about the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease. This is especially true for families that have experienced a family member with this illness.
If you remember you have a car that is good news and knowing you need to pay a bill is also good news. What isn’t good news is when you take a cab home because you forgot you drove to the shopping center or your bills go unpaid because you can’t remember the sequencing needed to get bills paid.
Having a problem is not the “diagnosis” it is what catapults you into seeing your primary care physician to be screened for a dementia. The doctor will usually do a short mini-mental status exam. If you fail some of those questions, he or she will send you on to a diagnostic clinic or a neurologist. The doctor will also want to run some tests on you to see if you have a condition that could cause memory changes and be reversed quickly. Those could be thyroid issues, infections, blood sugars and more. Even dehydration causes changes in brain functioning!
What is important is to get a good multi-disciplined evaluation of your memory loss so it can be treated. Yes, there are some medications given to those in the early stages of a progressive illness that help you maintain your abilities to self-care longer – these drugs were not available for your grandparents.
Also, recent research is showing surprising results in those with early diagnosis making major changes to diet; exercising, doing brain stimulation exercises, practicing mindfulness as well as staying socially engaged can drastically slow the progression.
If you do get a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease early, it gives you time to make these lifestyle changes such as:
- plan and attend to legal directives
- talk to your financial planner
- meet with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager to help plan for your social engagement
- look at housing options way before needed
- be your family guide as things change
Doing these activities early in the process keeps you in control and assures you can have your values and wishes respected.
Worry is not good for our health, so don’t think you have a serious dementia just because you forget a few things – that is just part of living with so many distractions. If you need a compass for your planning, call and have a consultation with a Professional Care Manager who will either give you a road map or be your anchor for the journey. Click here to contact us today.