More than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. Not only is Alzheimer’s the sixth leading cause of death in the country, but it also currently cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
Mirroring the national statistics, Alzheimer’s disease is also the sixth leading cause of death in Kansas. About 12 percent of Kansans currently have the disease or related dementia.
Erin Yelland, K-State Research and Extension adult development and aging specialist, said there are 10 main signs of Alzheimer’s disease. If signs seem to be there, the first thing to do is contact a primary care physician. Early diagnosis is important.
“Alzheimer’s disease is predictable,” said Yelland. “We know certain issues are going to come up, and we know the process of decline that patients will experience. By educating yourself, you can understand what might happen, but more importantly, your family members will better understand what they are going to experience while you’re battling this disease.”
The 10 signs, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, include:
1. Memory loss that disrupts life.
The first early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss and an evident decline in cognitive function. People in early stages might forget important dates or events, ask the same information repeatedly, or need to rely on notes or family members to provide reminders for things they used to do on their own.
Experiencing some memory loss and forgetfulness as we age is normal, Yelland added, but Alzheimer’s disease brings more dramatic instances of memory loss that disrupt daily life and functioning.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Concentrating might become more of a problem. Forgetting to pay bills could become more frequent. Following a simple recipe could pose a challenge.
“For example, a person with normal cognitive functioning can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” Yelland said. “For a person with Alzheimer’s disease, this may be a complicated task because the recall of steps gets tangled in the brain.”
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
Those with early onset Alzheimer’s disease will likely notice daily tasks have become a greater challenge. At home, this could mean having trouble writing a check, running the dishwasher, or finding the correct button to turn on the microwave, oven or television. Driving to and from work or other once-familiar places becomes difficult for those with the disease.
4. Confusion with time or place.
“Commonly, people with Alzheimer’s disease don’t remember what year it is,” Yelland said. “I might forget the date, but eventually I’ll figure it out. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, the key is that they might not eventually figure it out.”
They might also confuse seasons of the year: going outside in the winter wearing shorts and a t-shirt, or wearing a parka during the summer. They might forget where they are and how they got there.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
Experiencing vision problems is another sign of Alzheimer’s disease. This could bring on difficulty in reading, judging distances, and determining color or contrast, all of which could lead to problems with driving.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
Those with Alzheimer’s disease might have trouble conversing with others, lose their train of thought and repeat themselves. They often struggle with finding the right word or call things by the wrong name, such as referring to a watch as “hand clock” or “wrist clock.”
This aspect can be particularly tough on families, especially if the person suffering from Alzheimer’s can’t remember a loved one’s name. Then, the specialist suggests it is best to just be patient and don’t argue. Stay calm, so they stay calm.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Most people know that when they lose something, such as a car key, they simply have to trace their steps to find it. This is not something people with Alzheimer’s disease can do easily. They might lose an item and cannot think back to when they last saw it. They might put objects in unusual places or accuse other people of stealing something they cannot find.
8. Decreased or poor judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s disease often experience changes in judgment and decision-making. For example, they might use poor judgment when dealing with money. They might forget to keep themselves clean or comb their hair.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
“Oftentimes when these frustrations are happening, people with Alzheimer’s disease do realize it,” Yelland said. “They know something is happening to them, and it’s hard for them to deal with it.”
For this reason, a person with Alzheimer’s might start to retreat from others. They may not want to participate in social events or do their favorite hobbies.
10. Changes in mood and personality.
People with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia could experience a swing of emotions that range from confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Some days will likely be more pleasant than others for them. Certain times of the day might be better, too.
Yelland said there’s a sundowning phenomenon often associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, meaning people are more cognitive and able to do things in the morning. By the evening, things become more difficult. For that reason, it might be best to encourage balancing the checkbook at the beginning of the day, for example, or preparing the dinner meal early in the morning so at night it’s not as much of a struggle.
About 90 percent of what is known now about Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered in the last 15 years. While it’s a complicated disease, some of the risk factors verified by research include: age (most of the people who get it are over age 60); familial history, especially if a parent, brother or sister has the disease; and the presence of a rare gene called Familial Alzheimer’s Disease or FAD.
Yelland has prepared an Extension program and fact sheet “Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Detection Matters,” which can be shared with interested individuals and groups. To learn more or to schedule a presentation for your group, call me at the Ellis County Extension Office, 785-6280-9430, at 601 Main Street in Hays.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.