Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Level II Training

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal disease that eventually affects most if not all of the brain’s functions. It progresses through the brain, following virtually the same path in everyone afflicted as it develops and advances across the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The disease kills brain cells, beginning in the hippocampus and steadily advancing into other areas of the brain. As different areas of the brain are affected, different brain functions are lost or impaired. One dangerous thing about Alzheimer’s is that it may be present in the brain for years before it is diagnosed. The time frame, from earliest recognition of symptoms to ultimate death, can range from three to ten or even twenty years. Not all of the symptoms are present in every case, and there are individual differences in the speed that the disease advances from early to later stages.

Mild forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. If you have trouble remembering someone’s name but it comes to you later, that’s not a serious memory problem. But if memory problems are seriously affecting your daily life, they could be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. While the number of symptoms you have and how strong they are vary, it’s important to identify the early signs. As a result, it is advisable to ask yourself the following seemingly tough questions:

1. Memory loss

This is the most common symptom. Does it happen that you easily forget information you just learned? Or maybe you happen to lose track of important dates, names, and events? Do you forget some really significant things even happened? Do you ask for the same information over and over? Do you rely heavily on memory aids like Post-it notes or reminders on your smartphone? Providing honest answers to all these questions will help you determine whether if the disease is present.

2. Trouble planning and problem solving

Do you have trouble making plans and sticking to them? Is it tricky to follow a recipe, even one you’ve used many times? Is it hard to concentrate on detailed tasks, especially if they involve numbers? Take for example, can you keep track of your bills and balance your checkbook?

3. Daily tasks are a challenge

Even familiar things can become hard. Do you have trouble driving to a location you go to often? Can you complete an ordinary task at work? Do you forget the rules of your favorite game?

4. Confusion about times and places

Can you fully grasp something that’s not happening right now? Are you disoriented easily and constantly? Do you get lost easily? Do you forget where you are? Do you remember how you got there? Do you mix up directions even when it’s a place you have been to before? A positive answer might be a pointer to the fact that Alzheimer’s is not far away.

5. Changes in vision

Is it harder to read the words on the page? Do you have trouble judging distance? Can you tell colors apart? This is quite important especially if you are constantly behind the wheels.

6. Words and conversations become stressful and frustrating

Vocabulary becomes hard. Can you find the right word you’re looking for? Or do you call things by the wrong name? Conversations are now turning into a struggle. Do you avoid joining in? Or are you able to follow along? Do you suddenly stop in the middle of a discussion because you don’t know what to say? Do you keep repeating yourself?

7. Mood changes

Do you get upset more easily? Do you feel depressed, scared, or anxious from time to time more than before? Are you getting more paranoid about people?

All these above questions will allow an individual to assess him or herself and determine if Alzheimer’s has already kicked in.