Does Your Love One Need Alzheimer's Care?

If you have an elderly loved one who is showing signs of forgetfulness, you may want to find out if he or she needs Alzheimer's care or another type of elder care. Most seniors, at some point, suffer from various degrees of memory loss. However, there is a difference between what is normal, age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. While there are similarities between the two conditions, Alzheimer's disease is much more serious and requires a doctor's diagnosis, special care and attention.

Alzheimer's Disease vs. Normal Forgetfulness 

As seniors age, they typically experience minor changes in their thinking and memory functions. They may forget where they put their eyeglasses, the television remote or even part of an experience, such as a birthday party. Eventually, sooner than later, they remember where those items are or the main events of the party. However, individuals with Alzheimer's disease typically can't recall anything about losing those items or the birthday party when asked about it.

Another difference between Alzheimer's disease and normal memory loss is the way senior citizens processes and follows instructions. With typical age-related memory loss, individuals can usually follow written or verbal instructions without much trouble, albeit a bit slower than those who aer younger.
Alzheimer's patients, however, have more difficulty understanding and following the directions and eventually can't complete the tasks at all.

A final difference between these two types of memory impairments is remembering and completing simple day-to-day tasks such as bathing, dressing, housekeeping, etc. Those suffering from a severe memory impairment lose their ability to complete these duties, while average senior citizens slow down, but don't fully lose the ability.

Is Alzheimer's Care Needed?

If you've come across any of these circumstances with a loved one, and want to know if he or she needs Alzheimer's care, this checklist may help. However, these are only guidelines, as severe memory impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia, can only be properly diagnosed by a physician. Early diagnosis allows patients to seek proper treatments in a timely manner. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:

1. Forgetfulness that impacts every day life
2. Increasing difficulty with solving problems
3. Issues with completing typical daily tasks
4. Frequently losing track of time, day of week or passage of time
5. Unable to show the connection between spatial relationships and visual images
6. Increasing difficulty with speaking and writing words and sentences
7. Inability to retrace steps especially when it comes to misplacing items
8. Trouble making decisions or have poor judgement when it comes to important issues such as handling money
9. Becoming reclusive especially in social situations
10. Severe and sudden changes in personality and mood

Types of Alzheimer's Care 

If your loved one receives the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, there are several elder care options available:

• In-Home Care: Especially in the onset stages of this disease, many families hire caretakers or nurses to come into the home and help with their loved ones' daily needs. 
• Residential Care Facilities:Another option for those with early onset Alzheimer's disease, these board and care homes or assisted living facilities allow residents to remain independent, but receive help 24/7 with their various daily living activities.
• Nursing homes: Also known as skilled nursing facilities, these long-term care facilities offer seniors in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, specialized care in a hospital-like setting. They receive ongoing supervision and medical attention, as well as take part in various activities designed for their special needs. 
• Alzheimer's Special Care Units: These care facilities are specifically for residents in the advanced stages of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The staff (including medical personnel) are specially trained to work with patients with severe memory impairments. The design of the units are relative to those living there: Softer lighting, open floor plans and security systems in place.

Don't Hesitate 

Consider your loved one's needs not only now, but six months or a year down the road when deciding if Alzheimer's care is truly needed. Medication and treatments can slow down the process of the disease, but it is not preventable or curable. It is a degenerative condition that needs immediate attention. If you think a loved one is showing some of the warning signs, speak with his or her doctor immediately.