Description

Symptoms and stages to keep in my to see if your loved one may be suffering from Alzheimer's.

Learn more: Distinguishing Between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Transcript

Hi. I'm Dorian Martin, and I'm an advocate for Alzheimer's. Today, I'd like to visit with you about this disease and the impact it could have on your aging family member. There are many symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including depression, anxiety, confusion, lack of interest, and short-term memory loss. If you suspect a loved one may have Alzheimer's, be sure to check with a physician, because medications, hearing loss, depression, and grief can also cause memory loss. Researchers believe that environmental and genetic factors are the cause of Alzheimer's disease. Once diagnosed, a loved one may live for three to years. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease has seven stages. In its first stages, no symptoms are evident. In its next phases, memory lapses occur, and eventually friends and family members start realizing something is wrong. In stage four, complex tasks become too difficult to perform. In the fifth stage, the person will start forgetting their name, address, and what day it is. In stage six, the person needs extra help, because they can no longer take care of themselves. They may wonder. They may not recognize someone, and they may also experience personality changes. In the final stage, the person will no longer be able to communicate, will lose control of their muscles, and will not be able to sit up, and will lose their ability to swallow. That's how I see it as an Alzheimer's advocate. I'd encourage you to see out local services. You can also Google, "understanding Alzheimer's" for additional information.

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