Alzheimer’s disease is best known for causing memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality. However, other lesser-known Alzheimer’s symptoms sometimes manifest earlier. Being able to identify these surprising Alzheimer’s symptoms can lead to an early diagnosis. Watch for these five commonly missed symptoms and contact a doctor for screening if you become concerned about your senior loved one.
1. Vision Problems
While aging causes many changes in eyesight, Alzheimer’s can damage the ability to detect color, motion, and depth. If your loved one is having difficulty judging distances, distinguishing between colors, or tracking moving objects, he or she may need more than a new pair of glasses.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
2. Missing the Punch Line
Individuals with Alzheimer’s often lose the ability to interpret sarcasm, understand humor, or distinguish between lies and truth. Take notice if your loved one misses the cues for this type of speech or fails to “get” the joke.
3. Unusual Eating Habits
Alzheimer’s can lead to confusion about hunger signals, occasionally even leading to ingesting rancid or inedible items. Unless supervised by family members or caregivers, seniors with Alzheimer’s may, for instance, remember they’re in the kitchen to eat but forget which items on the table are meant for consumption.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Fremont families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Losing Touch with Social Norms
Eccentricity is often associated with aging, but if your loved one suddenly lacks empathy, is unable to understand embarrassment, or shows disregard for laws, it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. The disease is known to erode the ability to understand other people’s needs and perspectives.
5. Financial Trouble
Managing a budget, paying bills, and writing checks can become daunting tasks for seniors with Alzheimer’s. This may become apparent with bounced checks, unusually generous gifts, or erratic financial decisions.
Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to handle. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Fremont Assisting Hands Home Care provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.
