Forgetfulness, memory loss, and frequent mistakes… These signs may not just be a natural part of aging but could also be warning symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s, a form of neurodegenerative disease, often begins with a decline in short-term memory and language issues, which severely affect the quality of life. Early detection and timely intervention can help slow the disease’s progression and maintain the patient’s quality of life.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition, with clinical symptoms primarily including cognitive disorders, behavioral changes, and social function decline. The disease often starts silently, and currently, there is no cure. However, fortunately, Alzheimer’s has a gradual progression. If signs are detected early through screening and diagnosis, there are opportunities for treatment and timely intervention. This can help slow the disease’s development and allow the patient to maintain a good quality of life for a long period after diagnosis. If the following signs appear, extra attention should be given.
Memory Loss
For example, frequently forgetting what was just said or done, struggling to handle familiar tasks and daily chores, being unable to use electronic devices or phones, misplacing things, or forgetting items.
Clinically, some families may believe that memory decline in elderly people is a normal occurrence or assume that if an elderly person can still recall events from many years ago, their memory is still good. However, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, memory loss usually affects short-term memory while long-term memory remains intact. As the disease progresses, long-term memory also deteriorates, and without timely intervention, cognitive decline will affect areas like calculation, spatial orientation, task execution, comprehension, and the ability to generalize. This significantly increases the difficulty of treatment and care for patients. Alzheimer’s patients in moderate to severe stages may experience getting lost, not being able to find their way home, or even going missing.
Decline in Language and Expression Ability
For example, when interacting with others, they may forget what they wanted to say, be unable to express themselves clearly, and frequently make mistakes in speech. They often do not recognize this and it is very difficult to correct. This is different from younger people who occasionally make mistakes due to busyness or lack of focus. Additionally, patients may have difficulty understanding information from newspapers, TV, or even conversations with others, or may react slowly.
Changes in Emotion and Behavior
For example, patients may reduce their activity levels, feel lonely, lose interest in their surroundings, become indifferent to loved ones, have unstable emotions, be quick to anger, show fluctuating moods, be easily irritated, feel sad or fearful for no clear reason, have doubts or delusions (such as suspecting others of stealing things, suspecting a partner of infidelity, etc.), withdraw from social activities, and exhibit other abnormal behaviors.
If elderly individuals show these symptoms, family members should take them to a reputable healthcare facility for a thorough examination to detect, diagnose, and treat the condition early.
Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other memory-related issues requires patience and special skills to improve their quality of life. Here are some effective caregiving strategies:
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment
- Ensure the living environment is simple and easy to navigate. For example, place household items in fixed and visible locations.
- Keep the living space tidy, avoiding distractions or elements that could cause confusion.
Helping the Patient Maintain Good Habits
- Encourage the patient to maintain daily routines such as eating on time, engaging in light physical exercises, and keeping mentally active.
- Try to establish a fixed schedule to help the patient feel secure and in control of their life.
Using Reminder Tools
- Use calendars, clocks, or smart devices to help the patient remember appointments, tasks, or important information.
- Write down reminders for important matters (like taking medication or visiting the doctor) and make sure the patient can easily see them.
Listening and Simple Communication
- Use simple, clear sentences when communicating to ensure the patient can understand.
- Do not pressure or make the patient feel bothered when they forget or cannot recall something. Be patient and repeat if necessary.
Engaging in Cognitive Stimulation Activities
- Encourage the patient to participate in mental activities such as brain games, reading, or memory exercises.
- To enhance cognition and reduce anxiety, organize light and safe social activities.
Maintaining Social Connections
- Encourage the patient to engage in conversations, family events, or community activities to help them avoid feelings of isolation.
- Introduce and connect them with loved ones to foster a sense of familiarity and safety.
Monitoring and Providing Health Support
- Keep track of changes in the patient’s mood and behavior so that early intervention can be made when necessary.
Emotional Support
- Always encourage and provide emotional support by talking with the patient to make them feel they are not isolated or abandoned.
- Help them deal with anxiety or depression (if present) through care, communication, or psychological support when needed.
Caring for patients with forgetfulness or communication difficulties requires patience, empathy, and adjustments in approach. Most importantly, creating a supportive and safe environment allows the patient to maintain a good quality of life for as long as possible.
