New LifeStyles - Fort Worth

Winter/Spring 2014

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Know the Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Jacqueline Marcell - Author of Elder Rage Please study the "Ten Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's" and if any of them ring true about someone you love, please reach out for help sooner than later. With early diagnosis and treatment, dementia can be slowed down by 2-4 years, buying some time for medical science to come up with better medications–and possibly a cure. TEN EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S 1. Recent memory loss that affects job skills - It's normal to occasionally forget telephone numbers and remember them later. Those with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, may forget things more often, and not remember them later. 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks - People with Alzheimer's disease could prepare a meal and not only forget to serve it, but also forget they made it. 3. Problems with language - A person with Alzheimer's disease may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making his or her sentence incomprehensible. 4. Disorientation of time and place - Those with Alzheimer's disease can become lost on their own street, not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get back home. 5. Poor or decreased judgment - The disease can cause people to forget entirely the child under their care. They may also dress inappropriately, wearing several shirts or blouses. 6. Problems with abstract thinking - Forgetting completely what number or words are and what needs to be done with them. 7. Misplacing things - Putting things in inappropriate places: an iron in the freezer, or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. 8. Changes in mood or behavior - Rapid mood swings from calm to tears to anger for no apparent reason. 9. Changes in personality - People's personalities ordinarily change somewhat with age. But a person with Alzheimer's disease can change drastically, becoming extremely confused, suspicious, or fearful. 10. Loss of initiative - Becoming very passive and requires cues and prompting to become involved. Jacqueline Marcell is an author, publisher, radio host, national speaker, and advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. For more information see: www.ElderRage.com Dealing with Alzheimer's can be tough. But it doesn't mean you have to forget about the joys of living. If you or someone you love is suffering from Alzheimer's, call the Alzheimer's Association helpline for support, understanding and information day or night. Make the first call to 1-800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org 84

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