Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Memory Loss. Forgetfulness could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s. You may forget the names of people you know, important dates or events. You may also misplace items and forget where.
Difficulty with Common Tasks. You may lack the concentration to complete daily tasks like personal grooming, household chores, etc. You may start driving to the supermarket only to forget where you’re going or get lost along the way.
Difficulty Distinguishing Time or Place. Alzheimer’s may make it difficult for you to distinguish time or places. You may wake up not knowing where you are or what you’re supposed to be doing.
Loss of Vision/Speech. Alzheimer’s may affect your vision, making it difficult to judge distances or distinguish colors. You may have trouble conversing with others due to forgetting words or losing your train of thought. As a result, you may repeat yourself often.
Indecision. You may find it hard to make decisions or show poor judgment in your decisions. This could lead to bad financial choices that hinder your future.
Withdrawal/Mood Changes. Alzheimer’s may cause you to lose interest in socializing with family and friends. This could be in part to experiencing mood changes that make you feel uncomfortable around others.
Safety Tips to Protect Those with Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s are at greater risk of accidents due to problems with memory loss, poor vision, lack of concentration, etc. These safety measures can help you create a safer home environment to protect your loved one from accidents.
- Secure your stove with a circuit breaker to prevent your loved one from turning it on. Better yet, invest in auto shut-off appliances. Keep electrical appliances away from the sink to prevent accidental shocking. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
- Install deadbolts on exterior doors to make it harder for loved ones to wander off undetected. Remove bathroom and bedroom locks, so a loved one doesn’t get locked in by accident.
- Increase lighting in the entryway, stairs, hallway, and bathrooms to reduce the risk of accidents, especially at night.
- Lock up guns, chemical cleaning products and medications in a secure location.
- Declutter your home to avoid accidents. Remove throw rugs and runners, install grab bars in bathrooms and keep electrical cords away from “high traffic” areas.
- Keep emergency phone numbers handy in the event of an unforeseen emergency.
Support a Walk to End Alzheimer’s
By participating in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s, you can raise awareness and support for the cause. Alzheimer’s walks are organized annually in over 600 communities around the country. For information about a walk where you live, visit this website.
For quality senior or veteran’s care from the comfort of your own home, call us at Sunny Days In-Home Care, 724-260-5186, today.