This is a topic that is really important to me since Alzheimer’s runs in my family, and I watched my aunt suffer through this terrible disease for years before she finally passed away. It was so difficult for our family to watch this loving, kind, elegant lady slowly change into an aggressive, cranky, demanding woman who could barely recognise us, and seemed completely self absorbed at all times. The last six months of her life were particularly painful to watch as she completely deteriorated in front of us, and even with the latest medical advances, we were unable to do anything about it. The good thing (if you can call it that) was that she was diagnosed in the very early stages, so the medication was able to control her symptoms more effectively. Plus modern Alzheimer’s drugs made sure she did not suffer as much as she would have even twenty years ago.

If you feel you have an aging relative or friend who exhibits symptoms that you feel could be related to Alzheimer’s disease, please get a medical opinion immediately.

These are the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
1. Forgetfulness that affects day to day functioning.
While occasional forgetfulness is quite common as we get older, this is very different, and often the person is completely unable to remember people and events. They are unable to remember whether they have made payments, kept appointments, etc.
2. Disorientation of place and time.
While it is normal for older people to forget the day or time for a moment, people with Alzheimer’s may be completely unaware and confused about where they are, where they are going, what day it is or even what year it is.
3. Difficulty performing simple everyday tasks.
People suffering from Alzheimer’s may have increased difficulty performing simple everyday tasks like preparing breakfast, doing the laundry, writing out bank cheques, etc.
4. Misplacing objects.
Everybody has trouble remembering where they have put their things from time to time. But a person with Alzheimer’s not only forgets where things are kept, but will put things in the strangest places. For eg., putting car keys in the soap dish, or putting the sugar bowl in the bedroom closet.
5. Difficulties with language.
Again, while it is quite common for anybody to forget the correct word to use from time to time, people with Alzheimer’s can use completely random words while talking, making it extremely difficult to understand what they are trying to say. This is also very frustrating to them as they are unable to convey what they want.
6. Mood changes.
It is normal for everybody to experience mood swings from time to time. But in a person suffering from Alzheimer’s the mood swings are often very severe, and the person may go through anger, tears, calmness and irritability very rapidly and for no apparent reason.
7. Personality changes.
While it is normal for the personality to change somewhat with old age, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s can literally become a different person entirely. It is common for an Alzheimer’s patient to exhibit very aggressive, or demanding, or fearful, or suspicious, or sly, or any other kind of unusual behaviour. Very often you can see a complete change in the patient’s personality.

So, if you know somebody who exhibits these behaviour patterns, please have them seek medical attention immediately. There are many marvellous new medicines that really help patients with Alzheimer’s.
Donepezil is used to treat loss of memory and thinking ability associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Rivastigmine can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Memantine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimers type.

Hopefully there will be a complete cure for Alzheimer’s in the very near future.

“I`m in awe of people out there who deal with Alzheimer`s, because they have to deal with death 10 times over, year after year.”
Marcia Wallace.