Q & A - Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Q - After reading the post about the 10 most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s, a reader asked how one knows when these are merely absentmindedness and not Alzheimer’s.
A - Unfortunately there isn’t an absolute answer or diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. However, if these symptoms persist and aren’t something occasional, check with your doctor, an organization like the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org (for further information), or other Alzheimer’s specialists.
My mother at first exhibited absentmindedness which my father recognized as something different than merely forgetting. Because I didn’t live with her and saw her about once a month at that time, I simply thought it was the forgetfulness of a very busy 80-year old woman. (She took care of my dad who had physical disabilities, cared for her sister who had Alzheimer’s, and took are of managing their rental properties.)
However, after my dad died and I became responsible for helping Mother, I realized this was more than occasional forgetting. I also saw that she exhibited some of the symptoms of my aunt. So I then consulted her doctor.
One of the most difficult realizations family members face is the fact that their loved one may have Alzheimer’s or some type of dementia. So they tend to ignore the symptoms, even when numerous symptoms are present.
Not all forgetfulness leads to Alzheimer’s. This book, What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s?, discusses other dementia symptoms.
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