Elderly Care in Ashland OH
As a caregiver for your elderly parent it is easy to react strongly when your loved one shows symptoms of what could be a serious condition. One situation when this is very common is if your parent forgets a name or has difficulty remembering something such as what they did the day before or a bit of information that they just recently learned. Your first instinct will likely be to assume it is Alzheimer’s disease. Before you become overwhelmed at the prospect that your loved one is dealing with dementia, however, it is important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are not the only cause of forgetfulness and these symptoms could simply be a mild situation. Being able to tell the difference can help you to give your parent the type of care that they actually need, and save you a tremendous amount of stress.
Some things to consider when determining if your parent is dealing with forgetfulness or if it may actually be signs of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Frequency. Everyone forgets a name or lets an appointment slip their mind every now had then. This is something that is completely normal, particularly for those who are very busy or experiencing stress, and does not necessarily indicate anything more serious. If your parent is experiencing these symptoms frequently, however, it could be a sign of something more serious developing.
- Other symptoms. Forgetfulness alone does not indicate Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, though it may be one of the first signs that family caregivers and others notice. If you recognize that your loved one is experiencing forgetfulness, pay attention and determine if they are showing other symptoms as well. The presence of other signs such as loss of judgment, difficulty making decisions, confusion, wandering, or communication problems could indicate that the forgetfulness is something more.
- Personality changes. Generally those who have developed Alzheimer’s disease are dealing with more than you notice outwardly. They may show sudden personality changes such as angry outbursts, withdrawal, anxiety, and defensiveness. These are due to them knowing that something has changed and not knowing how to deal with it, or not wanting others to know about it.
If your parent has been showing increased signs of forgetfulness or has recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, it may be time for you to consider elder care. Even if these symptoms are mild, an elderly home care services provider can help your parent to deal with these issues and overcome them to ensure they are able to maintain as much independence as possible. If your parent is dealing with a progressive condition, starting this care as early as possible is a fantastic way to give both of you peace of mind that they will have the support, care, and assistance that they need as they age in place and their needs increase. This means that they will stay safer and healthier, and can continue to enjoy life to the fullest even while dealing with these challenges.
If you are considering hiring elderly care services near Ashland, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Source: https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/forgetful-dementia/
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