Did you know that June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month? In Tennessee, there are an estimated 120,000 people who are currently living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Additionally, there are an estimated 367,000 family members and friends who are currently serving as unpaid caregivers.
At ORNL Federal Credit Union, we care about the health and overall well-being of our members and community. Which is why we wanted to share the Alzheimer’s Association’s list of warning signs to help people identify symptoms that may be related to Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
NOTE: It’s possible for individuals to experience one or more of these signs in varying degrees. It is not necessary to experience every sign in order to raise concern.
- Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life:
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions repeatedly, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids. - Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
Some people living with dementia 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. - Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
People living with Alzheimer’s disease often find it hard to complete routine tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game. - Confusion with Time or Place
People living with Alzheimer’s 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. - Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
For some people, vision problems are a sign of Alzheimer’s. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving. - New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
People living with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue, or repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name. - Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
A person living with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. They may lose things such as their debit card or wallet and are unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses. - Decreased or Poor Judgment
Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. - Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity. - Changes in Mood and Personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
For More Information
For more information about the Alzheimer's Association, please visit their website at alz.org.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Alzheimer’s and you’re not sure what to do about finances, please reach out to us at ORNL FCU. Our team is happy to help guide you in the right direction.