Compassionate and Professional In-Home Caregivers Speak with Rachel, Tiffanie or Frank Call Us Today at 843-832-9888 or fill out form below
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care
10 Signs of Alzheimer's Disease as spelled out by the Alzheimer's Association
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (i.e. reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
4. Confusion with time or place People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
8. Decreased or poor judgment People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
10. Changes in mood and personality The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
We are Dementia Dialogues Specialists We have a Dementia Dialogues Instructor on Staff
Dementia Dialogues is a five part learning experience designed to education individuals who care for persons who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias. Each session is approximately one and one half hours in length. Upon completion of all five sessions, participants will be awarded a Dementia Specialist Certificate.
Part One The Basic Facts, An Introduction to Dementia
Part Two Keeping the Dialogue Going, Communication Skills
Part Three It's a Different World, Environment, Safety and Helpful Hints
Part Four It's Nothing Personal, Addressing Challenging Behaviors
Part Five Now what Do I Do? Creative Problem Solving
If your company would like to offer this five-part program to your staff, please email us at info@allcarelivingservices.com
If you would like to know which businesses are sponsoring this course and open to the public, please email us at info@allcarelivingservices.com
the basics memory loss, dementia and alzheimer's disease
an education program by the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging.
If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer's disease or dementia, it's time to learn the facts. This program provides information on detection, causes and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment and much more.
This program is done in one session and is about an hour and a half long.
Definition of Alzheimer's, defined by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. These neurons, which produce the brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, break connections with other nerve cells and ultimately die. For example, short-term memory fails when Alzheimer's disease first destroys nerve cells in the hippocampus, and language skills and judgment decline when neurons die in the cerebral cortex. Two types of abnormal lesions clog the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease: Beta-amyloid plaques—sticky clumps of protein fragments and cellular material that form outside and around neurons; and neurofibrillary tangles—insoluble twisted fibers composed largely of the protein tau that build up inside nerve cells. Although these structures are hallmarks of the disease, scientists are unclear whether they cause it or a byproduct of it. 1. disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older. 2. disease is not a normal part of aging.
Origin of the term Alzheimer's disease dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, presented a case history before a medical meeting of a 51-year-old woman who suffered from a rare brain disorder. A brain autopsy identified the plaques and tangles that today characterize Alzheimer's disease.
For more information, connect with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s licensed social workers. Call 866.AFA.8484. Real People. Real Care. Alzheimer's Foundation of America866.AFA.8484 www.alzfdn.org
Definition of Dementia, defined by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms-such as loss of memory, judgment, language, complex motor skills, and other intellectual function-caused by the permanent damage or death of the brain's nerve cells, or neurons. One or more of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, can cause dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in persons over the age of 65. It represents about 60 percent of all dementias. The other most common causes of dementia are vascular dementia, caused by stroke or blockage of blood supply, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Other types include alcohol dementia, caused by sustained use of alcohol; trauma dementia, caused by head injury; and a rare form of dementia, frontotemporal dementia. The clinical symptoms and the progression of dementia vary, depending on the type of disease causing it, and the location and number of damaged brain cells. Some types progress slowly over years, while others may result in sudden loss of intellectual function. Each type of dementia is characterized by different pathologic, or structural, changes in the brain, such as an accumulation of abnormal plaques and tangles in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and abnormal tau protein in individuals with frontotemporal dementia.
For more information, connect with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s licensed social workers. Call 866.AFA.8484. Real People. Real Care. Alzheimer's Foundation of America866.AFA.8484
All Ages. All Stages. AllCare Living Services 1675 North Main Street, Suite 105-B 2817 Maybank Highway, Unit #1 Summerville, SC 29483 Johns Island, SC 29455 843-832-9888 843-832-9888
