Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and most people associate this disease with decreased memory function. While memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s, this neurodegenerative disorder can produce a wide variety of unusual symptoms. Here’s a quick look at five rare symptoms some seniors with Alzheimer’s may experience.
1. Vision Impairment
Your senior loved one’s eyesight will most likely deteriorate as he or she grows older, but those changes should be gradual. Sudden vision loss can be caused by many medical issues, including Alzheimer’s. In the earliest stages of this disease, some seniors find it difficult to read small print or judge distances. Luckily, many of these vision issues can easily be treated with a good pair of eyeglasses. If your loved one seems to be having vision difficulties, contact his or her eye doctor to schedule a checkup.
2. Social Isolation
Many seniors with Alzheimer’s cut themselves off from the world, and that type of behavior can be very damaging to the psyche. As everyday social interactions become more confusing and frustrating, your loved one might make excuses for why he or she can’t go out, or he or she may avoid you entirely. The best way to combat social isolation is to regularly meet with your loved one in a safe and comfortable environment. Instead of heading out to a restaurant or theater, you might want to make a meal at home or rent a movie.
Seniors’ reluctance to interact can make it difficult for family caregivers to know what their loved ones need at any given time. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Amarillo Heroes Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
3. Anxiety
During the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease, seniors sometimes develop anxiety disorders. Prescription medications can be used to minimize this symptom, but those drugs often have severe side effects. Behavioral strategies have become very popular over the last few years, and those tactics can have a major impact on chronic anxiety. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s benefit from therapy sessions, counseling, meditation, and guided breathing exercises.
4. Impulsive Behavior
Alzheimer’s can alter a senior’s personality, and you may notice your loved one engaging in risky or impulsive behavior as the disorder progresses, which might include making sexual comments, cursing, physically threatening people, or spending huge sums of money. As soon as your loved one becomes impulsive or aggressive, you must remain calm and try to redirect his or her attention. You should also keep an eye out for any stimuli that might be triggering those actions. Some seniors with Alzheimer’s become agitated when exposed to bright colors or loud noises.
Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming for family caregivers, and compassionate professional caregivers can provide much-needed support. 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 Heroes Home Care, a leading provider of senior care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
5. Paranoia
Paranoia is one of the most difficult Alzheimer’s symptoms to address, and you’ll need to mentally prepare yourself for accusations and delusions. In the latest stages of the disease, your loved one might accuse you of awful things, and you must be ready for those outbursts. It might be tempting to argue with your loved one, but that’s likely to make the situation worse. Letting your loved one express his or her ideas and then changing the subject is the best way to address paranoia.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Heroes Home Care, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Amarillo seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (806) 803-9991 today.