Welcome back!
One of the concerns in many families is whether family members are exhibiting signs of old age or Alzheimer’s. It is important to know the difference between Alzheimer’s and old age so that appropriate treatment and care can begin as soon as possible. There are a number of treatment options to consider and decisions to make depending on the diagnosis.
In a previous post, we highlighted the symptoms of Alzheimer’s as provided by the Alzheimer’s Association website. In this post, we are listing the corresponding signs of old age to help you understand the difference using the same bullet points as the Alzheimer list from yesterday’s post (See link below):
- Memory Loss. If someone forgets a name, birthday, anniversary, or appointment, but remembers it later, it is probably due to old age.
- Increased challenges in planning or solving problems. Making an occasional mistake in balancing a checkbook or forgetting to write down an entry in the checkbook is probably age-related. Unfortunately, such mistakes can happen to any of us because we are busy, distracted, or interrupted.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home and at work. If your loved one needs help to record a TV show or use the settings on a microwave, it is probably age-related.
- Disoriented as to time and place. If they get confused about what day of the week it is or what an event that was coming up in the next day or two, but remembered later, it is probably age-related.
- Visual or perception problems. While judging distance, reading difficulties, or determining color or contrast can be signs of Alzheimer’s, the vision changes can also be a result of cataracts.
- Trouble following or understanding a conversation. Age-related problems would include having trouble finding the right word or possibly having problems with hearing what was said.
- Misplace items and inability to retrace steps. Thankfully, occasionally misplacing your glasses or the remote is not a sign of Alzheimer’s. It is, however, a sign of old age.
- Changes in judgment or decision-making. Making a bad decision once in a while has happened to all of us, young or old. Fortunately, it is not a sign of Alzheimer’s.
- Withdrawal from social activities. Sometimes people withdraw because they feel weary of all the family, social, and work obligations going on in their life. Taking time away from the hectic pace for a while may bring them back into their social circle once more.
- Mood and personality changes. A typical age-related mood or personality change occurs when someone develops a very specific way of doing things and becomes irritated when someone or something disrupts that routine.
Hopefully this list will help you determine if your loved one is experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s or old age. For further information, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association. You can read the companion post regarding the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s by clicking this link.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jane Marian // Jul 5, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Thank you for the list. Early detection is very important.
2 Edie // Jul 5, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Early detection sure is important. Thanks for stopping by and hope to revisit your site very soon.