Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia affect millions of people, particularly as they get older.
As dementia progresses, a person might require constant care and will not have the mental capacity to remember even the most basic information or make simple decisions.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these are some early signs that a loved one might have dementia:
- Forgetting important information or not being able to remember without several reminders.
- Inability to do common life tasks, like driving to a store without getting lost or being able to handle the paying of bills.
- Problems with spatial awareness, vision or with coming up with the right words in normal conversation.
- Emotional changes as well as social withdrawal or pulling away from favorite activities.
- Getting lost easily or misplacing items.
- Serious lapses in judgement with respect to personal care, household care and the like.
Granted, many Buffalo residents might associate these warning signs with ordinary aging. Loved ones who see these behaviors occasionally from an older relative should not necessarily worry, especially if the person recognizes the behavior and self-corrects.
The key questions to ask are whether the behavior is out of character for the person and whether the behavior is getting progressively worse.
A person may also want to ask if the behavior could be explained some other way, such as if their loved one is on medications or under some sort of stress.
Help your loved ones
The good news is that in the early stages of the disease, dementia patients can still do a lot for themselves.
Although they should be carefully assessed, patients often are competent legally to make financial decisions and sign important documents, including estate planning documents.
In addition to all other steps New York families must take during an admittedly difficult time, they should know their options for how to help their loved one get their affairs in order while they can do so, especially if their loved one might need to rely on Medicaid for long-term care.
