Memory loss that begins to impact an elderly loved one’s daily life can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a very common disease that affects the brains of elderly individuals and slowly causes cognitive decline. As the disease progresses, elderly people suffer from serious memory loss and have difficulty with reasoning skills.

If you’re worried about an elderly loved one developing Alzheimer’s lookout for these early signs:

1. Loss of Memory that Affects their Daily Life

Memory loss is the most prominent symptom of Alzheimer’s. When the disease first begins affecting the brain, the patient will start forgetting events and dates. You’ll notice them asking about the same things repeatedly and relying on notes.

2. They Struggle With Planning and Finding Solutions to Problems

The simplest of tasks start feeling difficult for patients of Alzheimer’s. People struggle with following recipes, creating a simple plan for the weekend and monitoring their monthly bill payments. This usually happens because the disease is causing their cognitive function to deteriorate.

If you find that your loved one is making errors in their checkbooks, it may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

3. Difficulty Finishing Simple Tasks

Daily tasks that elderly individuals could do without giving it a second thought suddenly become very daunting when they develop Alzheimer’s.

Driving to a location they’ve been to hundreds of times may get confusing. They may have a tough time remembering the rules of a board game they’ve played throughout their lives and may struggle with budgeting.

4. They Can’t Make Sense of Visual Images

Some people with Alzheimer’s develop vision problems. Reading can become a challenge and they may have a hard time judging distance and color too. If you notice any of these signs then it’s time you ask them to stop driving.

5. They Can’t Keep Up With Time

Everyone loses track of time every now and then but when it becomes a regular problem, it could indicate cognitive decline.

People with Alzheimer’s have trouble understanding isn’t happening right away. If you tell them that you’ll take them to the park in half an hour and they get up immediately, then it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

6. Trouble with Speaking and Writing

People with Alzheimer’s and dementia have trouble with following conversations and speaking. They have a tendency to stop mid-sentence and repeat themselves because they forget what they’re talking about.

If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, give them the care they deserve at AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care. We offer luxurious independent living and assisted living facilities for elders suffering from memory loss.

Call us for more information at (818) 881-0055.