Forgetfulness or being fuzzy on details here and there are all normal signs of aging. They could also serve as a signal for a more serious condition, such as dementia, or severe memory loss.
It is estimated that dementia affects more than six million Americans over the age of 65 years old, with Alzheimer’s Disease being the most common form of it.
At Blue Water Homecare, we are familiar with dementia as many of our clients and families are touched by this debilitating condition. Our experienced caregivers offer dementia care services ensuring the safety of seniors so they can live at home as long as possible.
As parents and family members start to age, many people are unsure if their forgetfulness and frequent confusion are just signs of normal aging or something more serious.
How do you know if it’s dementia or normal aging?
Those experiencing dementia often exhibit more symptoms than just age-related memory loss. They typically have difficulty functioning and performing the most basic tasks also, like speaking or feeding themselves.
Signs of normal aging may include:
- Making poor decisions occasionally
- Having trouble calculating bills or dealing with money
- Forgetting a day or the week, or losing track of time, but then being able to remember it when prompted
- Skipping or omitting words while speaking
- Misplacing things
Signs of dementia may include:
- Inability to follow along or stay focused in conversation
- Overspending money or going months without paying bills
- Losing items without being able to recall where they saw something last or retrace their steps
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Drastic changes in mood or personality
- Altered appearance due to poor grooming or forgetting to eat resulting in malnourishment or weight loss
When should you see a doctor if you suspect dementia?
Your loved one should be evaluated by their physician if they are routinely showing signs of dementia or are putting themselves (or others at risk) due to their forgetful actions and confused state of mind. Once their memory loss and change in behavior begins affecting their quality of life, they may need help.
Doctors can perform cognitive ability tests and brain scans to determine if dementia is the correct diagnosis. Sometimes, senior memory loss may be caused by other factors such as medication side effects, infection or illness. While there is no cure for dementia, there are many ways to help improve someone’s quality of life and ensure they are aging safely and comfortably despite this challenging condition.
If you are serving as a caregiver to a parent or someone else living with dementia, Blue Water’s experienced teamof senior caregivers offers these tips to help make your role easier.
When your role becomes too overwhelming, or your own physical and mental health is being compromised, Blue Water can step in to assist you with your family’s homecare or dementia care needs, such as appointment escorts, light housekeeping and meal prep, or helping with grooming and bathing.
Contact Blue Water Today for Your Free Consultation
Let Blue Water Homecare help you and your loved ones create a unique and personalized plan for aging safely, and comfortably, in place or in a facility. Contact us today for a free at-home visit and assessment. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.