Forgetfulness can be exasperating for older adults, but most of the time, it’s simply a normal part of aging and shouldn’t be cause for alarm. However, if your senior loved one is experiencing severe memory lapses more frequently, it may be an early sign of a serious condition such as Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and your parent should be evaluated by a doctor. Here are a few situations that could indicate your loved one’s memory loss indicates a more serious condition.
Having Difficulty Handling Finances or Making Plans
It’s normal for people of any age to make occasional math errors when balancing their checkbooks. However, if your parent starts to have difficulty organizing and paying his or her monthly bills or creating and following plans, there may be a more serious issue. Also, if you notice your parent often has a difficult time concentrating or takes a long time to accomplish simple tasks such as following a familiar recipe, he or she should be examined by a doctor.
Forgetting Information
It’s normal for an older adult to occasionally forget a name or an appointment, but forgetting recently learned information or repeatedly asking for the same details might be a sign of a more serious cognitive condition. If your parent frequently needs to use memory aids such as reminder notes for tasks he or she used to perform independently with ease, it’s important to make sure he or she gets checked out by a doctor. Memory loss that’s serious enough to interfere with daily life is a common sign of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Misplacing or Losing Things
Aging adults occasionally misplace items, but seniors with severe cognitive issues may put things in unusual places and then have difficulty retracing their steps to find the items again. Severe memory loss may even cause your parent to accuse you or another caregiver of stealing. If you notice these types of incidents happening with greater frequency, have your loved one evaluated by a physician.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Livingston families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care Livingston to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Having Difficulty Completing Tasks
You shouldn’t be worried if your loved one needs help setting the microwave or recording a TV show, but aging adults with more serious cognitive decline often find it more challenging to complete everyday tasks, such as taking their medication on time or driving to familiar places. If you notice your loved one is having difficulty completing everyday activities on a regular basis, get him or her checked out by the doctor.
If your loved one has severe memory loss as a result of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, a trained, experienced home caregiver can be a wonderful asset. For reliable Alzheimer’s care, Livingston families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. We are a leading provider of professional memory care designed to help seniors maintain a higher quality of life. In addition to Alzheimer’s care, we also provide comprehensive dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care. Call us today to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
