Expect moments of forgetfulness as you get older
Dear Savvy Senior,
I think it was the publicity surrounding Ronald Reagan’s funeral not long ago, but my mother is now convinced she has Alzheimer’s disease. This is triggered by moments of forgetfulness, such as not being able to remember someone’s name. I tell her that kind of thing is normal and that everyone has those days. I have suggested she go see her doctor but she refuses. Any advice?
Senior Moments
Dear Moments,
Tell your mom that forgetfulness isn’t Alzheimer’s any more that a headache is a brain tumor. If it was, we’d all be in trouble. One of the problems with Alzheimer’s is that there is no single, surefire test that can make an objective diagnosis when the disease is in its early stages. What doctors look for is a pattern, as well as what a person is forgetting. So, if your mother forgets where she put her car keys, don’t worry about it. But, if she forgets what the keys are used for, she may have a more serious problem.
Warning signs. As we grow older, some memory changes are normal, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple memory lapses. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a checklist of warning signs to help you recognize potential problems. If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, see a doctor. Warning signs include:
Memory loss. One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information. While it’s normal to forget appointments, names, or telephone numbers, people with dementia will forget things more often, and not remember them later.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to complete basic everyday familiar tasks like using a household appliance or participating in a lifelong hobby.
Problems with language. Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer’s often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words making their speech hard to understand. For example if a person with Alzheimer’s is unable to find their toothbrush, they may ask for “that thing for my mouth.”
Disorientation to time and place. It’s normal to forget the day of the week or where you’re going. But people with Alzheimer’s can become lost on their own street, forget how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
Poor or decreased judgment. No one has perfect judgment all of the time. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress without regard to the weather, wearing several shirts on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather. They may also often show poor judgment about money, giving away large amounts to telemarketers or paying for products they don’t need.
Problems with abstract thinking. Balancing a checkbook can be challenging for some. But a person with Alzheimer’s may forget what the numbers represent and what needs to be done with them.
Misplacing things. Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or key. A person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
Changes in mood or behavior. Everyone can become sad or moody from time-to-time. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
Changes in personality. People’s personalities ordinarily change a little with age. But a person with Alzheimer’s can change a lot, becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.Loss of initiative. It’s normal to tire of household chores or social obligations at times. But a person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities.
Savvy Resource. Alzheimer’s Association: Offers a toll-free contact center for information, assistance, care consultation and referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 1- 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, Okla. 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.