Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and frightening. Adding to the emotional impact, the disease itself causes brain changes that cause anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness.
Alzheimer’s is a very slowly progressing disease. You have time to learn, plan, and adjust. If you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and told about it, you are in good medical hands already.
Understanding the common symptoms and their impact and treatment can help you prepare for the changes ahead.
Memory problems, particularly in terms of remembering recent events or conversations, are often the earliest and most prominent symptoms. This can manifest in many ways, including difficulties:
- Coming up with the right words
- Remembering names when introduced to new people
- Performing tasks in work or social settings
- Remembering material that you just read
- Keeping track of where important or valuable items are
- Making plans and staying organized
Language and conversations are typically more challenging for people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Struggling to find the right words, having trouble following or joining conversations, and frequently pausing when speaking are a few things you might experience. You may also have difficulties with writing or spelling.
Additionally, you might find it challenging to solve problems or follow a sequence of steps (such as cooking a meal). This cognitive decline can affect your ability to make decisions and judge situations, potentially leading to unsafe scenarios. You also may struggle with managing your finances (such as handling money and paying bills), health, and personal hygiene.
Other symptoms can include:
- Frequently repeating questions
- Taking longer than usual to complete tasks
- Changes in mood and behavior, such as getting upset or worried more easily and having fear, depression, or anxiety
- Problems with depth perception, judging distances, navigation, and accurately determining color
These symptoms can significantly affect your daily life and independence.
Cognitive decline increases the risk of accidents, such as falling, getting lost, or mishandling medications. And because it can make managing finances more challenging, it’s important to have financial and legal plans in place, such as power of attorney, to ensure your wishes are followed.
Understanding these symptoms and their potential impact helps you and your loved ones prepare for and adapt to the changes ahead, ensuring you maintain the best possible quality of life.
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