Saturday, October 13, 2012

Alzheimer's Care Greenville: Basics of Alzheimer's Disease


By Bruce Meyer



When dealing with Alzheimer's Care in Greenville, chances are high that you know someone who has already had an experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe an elderly parent has the disease, or perhaps they had a grandparent who had the condition. Unfortunately, many people have had some sort of experience with this illness. If you have an elderly loved one in your life, the professionals at Always Best Care, which serves Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville, Taylors, Fountain Inn, and Mauldin, encourage you to educate yourself on the basics of this condition.

The Alzheimer’s Association explains that Alzheimer’s disease is an issue with the brain that leads to problems with thinking, behavior, and memory. It’s more common to see cases of Alzheimer’s among elderly individuals, but this disease is not just a routine part of aging. Just because your loved one is getting older does not mean that they will get the condition, which is degenerative and worsens over time.  

Each elderly individual with Alzheimer’s disease experiences different symptoms; however, many people note that forgetfulness is a telltale sign of this condition. While forgetfulness is often a common sign of the aging process, the forgetfulness shown with Alzheimer’s disease is strong enough to impact a senior’s daily life. That elderly individual is no longer able to participate in hobbies, and they have a hard time functioning at work or at home. 

Alzheimer’s causes seniors to become easily confused and disoriented. Your loved one may feel lost even if they’re in a familiar place. People with Alzheimer’s disease frequently misplace things, and may struggle with words and speaking. 

Other major symptoms of this condition include: the inability to make good decisions, trouble managing money, poor conversation skills, and a loss of interest in socializing. The senior may also misplace their belongings frequently. 

There is not currently a known cure for this condition, but there are several drugs that can help control and manage symptoms of the disease. Your loved one’s treatment plan will vary depending on the severity of their condition and their medical history. 

It’s important to note differences between Alzheimer’s disease and normal aging. Sometimes the symptoms are similar, and you may feel confused about whether your elderly loved one is displaying signs of aging or a more serious problem. A typical sign of aging is when a person forgets the day of the week but later remembers. An indicator of Alzheimer’s disease is when a senior frequently loses sense of the passage of time. Though the differences are subtle, they’re important. 


Families with elderly individuals should know some basic information about Alzheimer’s disease so they’re able to identify early signs and symptoms of this condition. As you learn about indicators of Alzheimer’s, it’s important to remember that there are normal signs of aging that don’t necessarily indicate that your senior may have Alzheimer’s. The professionals at Always Best Care of Greenville encourage you to learn the subtle differences so you’re able to take note of any changes in your elderly loved one. 

No comments:

Post a Comment