● Sleep : There are several stages of sleep, all of which are involved in the ability to learn new things and to sort and store memories. ● Pain : When a person is in pain, it is more difficult to use the brain effectively (Troche et al., 2015). ● Medication : Many medications contribute to confusion and difficulty focusing on a topic. Many cause sedation, which also affects memory. ● Depression and other mood disorders : Emotional problems are commonly mistaken for dementia. There is a strong correlation between depression and difficulty with memory. (Wilson et al., 2016) Late stage In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities. See Table 6 for 10 warning signs of dementia compared with typical signs of aging. Examples of normal versus abnormal memory changes include the following: ● Normal : Forgetting the name of someone to whom they were just introduced. ○ Problem: Forgetting the name of their neighbor of the past 10 years. ● Normal : Going into the living room and forgetting why they were going there. ○ Problem: Forgetting or becoming confused over how to get to the living room. ● Normal : Forgetting where they left their car keys. ○ Problem: Finding that they put their car keys in the freezer. ● Normal : Taking longer to learn a new job task. ○ Problem: Forgetting how to tie a shoe. ● Normal : Forgetting the name of the movie they saw last week. ○ Problem: Forgetting that they went to the movies last week.
grocery lists. Unfortunately, older adults with a to-do list strike the notion of becoming forgetful. Keep in mind that people of all ages use memory cues. Even a grade-school child uses an assignment notebook to remember required work. Other factors interfere with memory, such as the following: ● Visual deficits : If something is not seen correctly, it is hard to remember it. ● Hearing deficits : If something is not heard correctly, it is hard to remember it. The stages of Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease typically progresses slowly in three general stages: mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage), and severe (late-stage). Alzheimer’s disease affects people in different ways; therefore, each person will experience symptoms and progress through the Alzheimer’s stages differently (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Early stage In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work, and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Within this stage, a person may experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI) where more consistent and persistent memory problems occur, such as a significant decline in short-term memory and difficulty learning new materials. Problems are noticed by friends, family, and coworkers. The problems do not affect everyday living to a great extent. People experiencing MCI are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another progressive form of dementia than those without MCI (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Middle stage Moderate Alzheimer’s disease is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s disease will require a greater level of care. You may notice the person with Alzheimer’s disease confusing words, getting frustrated or angry, or acting in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can make it difficult to express thoughts and perform routine tasks. Table 6: Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease 1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What’s typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. 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 previously. What’s typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure People with Alzheimer’s disease 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. What’s typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show. 4. Confusion with time or place People with Alzheimer’s disease 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. What’s typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. 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. What’s typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.
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Book Code: PTNY3622B
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