Are you concerned that your loved one may be demonstrating symptoms of Alzheimer’s? We know it feels scary when the reality of your loved one having Alzheimer’s sets in. Don’t fret, we can help. Let’s talk through the early and late stages of Alzheimer’s, explain how an Alzheimer’s diagnosis might happen and how we can offer you and your relative Alzheimer’s support.
What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
If you’re concerned for your loved one, it can feel difficult balancing support for them with the frustration of not knowing which behaviours and mannerisms to look for. To help, we’ve listed some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s below:
• Feeling confused or disorientated – they may forget familiar names or places
• Misplacing items
• Experiencing a lower or more anxious mood – likely caused by the change in chemicals in their brain
• Struggling to make decisions or plans – they may appear indecisive or unsure
• Experiencing problems with speech or language – they may struggle trying to remember, “what’s that word?” or be slightly slower than usual
It’s important to remember that, at first, these symptoms can appear very subtle. Over time, they can become more severe and obvious. Try and reassure your loved one by remaining calm and comforting them if they become distressed.
What behaviour might you spot in the mid to late stages of Alzheimer’s?
Mid stages of Alzheimer’s
• Getting more confused – forgetting what time of day it is
• Having trouble moving around – they might struggle with basic motor skills and self-care tasks
• Changing their personality – they may become demanding or even suspicious of your behaviour
• Experiencing hallucinations – can be caused by confusion
Late stages of Alzheimer’s
• Problems with eating – they may struggle to eat or swallow their food
• Losing weight – a sometimes less common symptom, but can become severe
• Issues with memory – both short and long-term memory can begin to suffer
If you’ve spotted some of these signs in your loved one, don’t worry. It can be very unsettling for both of you, and you may feel frustrated, alone and vulnerable. That’s why we’re here to help. If you’re not sure of the next steps to take in this situation, we’ve listed them below:
How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed and how can I help my loved one?
One of the next steps is to take your loved one to see their doctor, although this can feel a challenge if they’re not too keen. Going along with them for support can really help. The GP will often carry out some checks and then take the right action for your loved one.
At IP Homecare, our carers empathise with the effect that living with Alzheimer’s can have on any individual. Our team provides high-quality, compassionate Alzheimer’s support to all of our customers.
Find out more about our live-in Alzheimer’s care.