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on the Thursday, September 1, 2016
Today (September 1) marks the beginning of Dementia Awareness Month. At the beginning of 2016, there were over 353,800 people living with some form of dementia in Australia. This number is expected to increase to more than 400,000 in less than five years.
The list that we have created below may help you differentiate between the normal signs of ageing and signs of Alzheimer’s – one of the most common forms of dementia.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Alzheimer’s: Regularly forgetting events or important dates and asking for the same information repeatedly. Having to rely on notes and other memory aids to recall certain things and events.
Normal ageing: Occasionally forgetting things such as names and events but remembering them later.
2. Having trouble planning or solving problems
Alzheimer’s: Difficulty working with numbers or following a plan e.g.: staying on top of bills, following a recipe. Lack of concentration may also be a problem.
Normal ageing: Sometimes making mistakes, but not often.
3. Having trouble performing familiar tasks
Alzheimer’s: performing familiar and regular tasks can become difficult. Driving to familiar places or remembering how to play a favourite game are key warning signs.
Normal ageing: Sometimes needing help with tasks, especially with new technology such as setting a clock or recording a show on television.
4. Confusion over where they are or what time it is
Alzheimer’s: The passing of time along with dates and seasons can become confusing to people with Alzheimer’s. A common sign is forgetting where they are and how they got there.
Normal ageing: Forgetting what day of the week it is but remembering later.
5. Having difficulty recognising visual images or special relationships
Alzheimer’s: Problems with vision – reading, determining distance and differentiating between colours – may become issues. They may also be unable to recognise themselves in the mirror and think it’s someone else in the room. Not being able to recognise loved ones and close friends.
Normal ageing: Vision changes related to cataracts etc.
6. Issues with written and/or spoken language
Alzheimer’s: People with Alzheimer’s often have trouble forming coherent sentences. They may stop in the middle of a conversation or repeat the same thing multiple times. Words for everyday objects are often forgotten.
Normal ageing: Sometimes forgetting the correct word.
7. Misplacement of objects
Alzheimer’s: When things are lost, they may be unable to retrace their steps in order to find the missing object. They may begin to put things in strange places. Generally, this issue can become more frequent as time passes.
Normal ageing: Losing things once in a while but being able to retrace steps to find later.
8. A decrease in good judgement
Alzheimer’s: Judgement and decision making can change with the progression of Alzheimer’s. People with dementia are more susceptible to telemarketers and scams. They may also stop taking care of their hygiene.
Normal ageing: Occasionally making bad decisions.
9. Social withdrawal
Alzheimer’s: People with Alzheimer’s may stop spending time doing the things they used to love. They may feel uncomfortable in social situations.
Normal ageing: Sometimes feeling tired of social, family or work obligations.
10. Mood or personality change
Alzheimer’s: The disease can more often than not result in a mood or personality changes. They may become easily upset or angry and often appear confused, suspicious and depressed.
Normal ageing: Becoming irritable with a well-established routine is disrupted.
Dementia Facts:
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