Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s and Assisted Living Care in AZ

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You’d be surprised to know that there are more than five million people living with Alzheimer’s Disease in the U.S which is the fifth leading cause of death for those between the ages of 65 and 85 years old and the sixth leading cause of death in the country. It is very important to understand the fundamentals of what Alzheimer’s is and to know how to spot the warning signs in the face of the increase in death rate due to the disease.

A person suffering from Alzheimer’s lives far from a stable life. He or she would require 24 hours support to live a stable life. Even carrying out the most basic household chores becomes difficult for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s. The best option is going for an assisted living facility such as the acclaimed Anthem Senior Living. It’s an award-winning assisted living Anthem facility in the region. Some of the senior health challenges we work with includes dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, companionship care, arthritis, heart disease, wound care, respiratory disease, falls, depression and more.

Alzheimer’ Disease:

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among senior people and the risk of getting it increases with age. Symptoms of the disease first appear in mid-60s. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It begins with an abnormal accumulation of proteins within the brain, these proteins are called beta-amyloid plaque and tau tangles and are the most common markers of Alzheimer’s. The brain transmits billions of neurons to distribute information to specific areas of the brain which are then communicated to the rest of the body. But the development of these proteins as a result of Alzheimer’s prevent healthy neurons from working properly which then lose their ability to function and communicate with each other, and the neurons eventually die. Unfortunately, the damage first appears in cells of the hippocampus, the part of the brain essential in forming memories.

The changes may take a decade or more to result in noticeable symptoms. Some of the symptoms in those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s include memory loss, problems with communication, loss of mobility, problems with incontinence and other significant behavioral changes.

Warning Signs:

1. Rapid personality or mood change
2. Poor judgment and decision-making
3. Withdrawal from regular activities like social withdrawal
4. Problems with reading and writing
5. Repeating the same questions over-and-over
6. Difficulty in carrying out normal, routine tasks
7. Confusion with time and location
8. Significant memory loss that hinders daily life

Although one symptom may not be an immediate cause for concern, but if you notice anything abnormal, discuss it with a physician. Memory loss does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s, but attention must be paid to regular day-to-day activities, mood changes, etc. Stay updated with ways to prevent the disease, ways to contribute to fight against the disease and ways to care for your beloved if they are diagnosed with the disease.