10. Loss of initiative: It’s normal to tire of housework, business activities or social obligations at times. The person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.


People often ask if a person has to experience all of these symptoms to have AD. No, noticing that a loved one has just one of these signs should be enough to realize it is time for a thorough evaluation--but unfortunately most people ignore these intermittent signals (statistically for four years), chalking it all up to getting older.

The BIG problem with that is by the time the disease gets bad enough for family members to reach out for help (usually after a crisis), the dementia has progressed through subtle Stage One and is already into Stage Two, which requires full-time care. Unfortunately, even with dementia medication to slow the disease, the patient can’t go back to the relatively independent lifestyle of Stage One.

If everyone knew to reach out for help at the earliest warning signs and seek thorough evaluation and treatment, the progression of dementia can usually be slowed down by several years. That is HUGE--because during that time medical science will probably develop better medications and hopefully even a cure.

Medical science is working hard to find solutions because 76 million baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are getting older and the first wave will begin turning 65 in five years. Since one out of every ten persons by the age of 65 gets AD, and nearly one out of every two by the age of 85, a medical crisis is brewing, as there just won’t be enough caregivers to help everyone needing care.

Therefore, if you or someone you love is experiencing any of these warning signs, even if they are subtle, intermittent and "not that bad yet" (they will be), I can’t urge you enough to seek a thorough evaluation by a DEMENTIA SPECIALIST who will do all the tests required for an accurate diagnosis. Waiting is the worst thing you can do. Simply call the Alzheimer’s Association 800-272-3900 and ask where your closest diagnostic center is. Tell them Jacqueline sent you!

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You can learn more about Jacqueline and find information about her book at ElderRage.com.