When dementia and memory loss begin to show up, you need to know that you have options, and good ones at that, when it comes to a dementia care facility in Castle Rock. We proudly serve Castle Rock, Parker, and surrounding areas with dementia care, memory loss care, and Alzheimer’s care. If your family is looking for answers and information to deal with the changes in your family, know that you have a resource for dementia care and Alzheimer’s care that is just around the corner.

References:

Alzheimer’s Assn. website

www.alzheimersbooks.com
(The Alzheimer’s Disease Bookstore)

Amazon.com

How To Care For Aging Parents
by Virginia Morris

Notes: The information in this booklet is intended to be used as a guide. For help in specific situations regarding safety or health, please consult your family doctor along with other professionals who specialize in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Could It Be Alzheimer’s?

This is a question asked by many families and caregivers when a senior forgets where they left their keys or doesn’t seem to be the person they used to be. Is the answer “Yes”?

It can be. There are about 4 million Americans suffering from this terrible disease and the number is on the rise. With persons over 65, 1 in 10 have Alzheimer’s. For those over 85, it is nearly 1 out of 2.

However, not everyone who is forgetful has Alzheimer’s. Similar symptoms are caused by other forms of dementia, as well as other physical and mental problems. So it’s very important not to jump to conclusions. Instead, keep an accurate history of the symptoms, educate yourself and seek the help of medical professionals.

The intent of this booklet is to get families and caregivers started on this process…and help with the doubts, confusion and fears experienced by those who first suspect a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Fears are educated into us and can, if we wish, be educated out.”

Karl A. Menninger, M.D.

Warning Signs

The following is a list of symptoms that are common in those with Alzheimer’s Disease. However, many of these symptoms are common in other problems experienced by seniors – alcohol and drug abuse, reactions to medications, the accumulated effect of a series of small (unnoticed) strokes and head injuries. So when you notice some of the symptoms on this list being experienced by a loved one, it is important to consult with their doctor for a professional diagnosis.

*Difficulty Making Calculations * – Thinking in the abstract becomes difficult. Example: Cannot recognize numbers or count.

Difficulty With Common Tasks – Confusion makes very simple or familiar tasks difficult to perform. Example: Cannot remember how to cook a recipe they prepared all their life.

Disorientation – Loses track of time or place. Example: Becomes lost in the most familiar of places or dresses in winter clothes during the summer.

Language Problems – Is difficult to understand because they forget, misuse and garble words.

Loss of Drive – Loses interest in things they always did, even things they enjoyed. Example: Doesn’t want to play bridge or associate with the bridge club anymore.

Memory Loss – Frequently forgets (sometimes permanently) information they should easily be able to recall. Eventually this affects relationships and job skills. Example: Cannot recall their supervisor’s name.

Misplacing Things – Puts things in inappropriate places and then forgets where they placed them. Example: Puts away a video cassette in the microwave oven.

Mood Swings – Quickly changes moods for no apparent reason. Example: Becomes agitated or angry when a new person enters the room.

Personality Change – Drastic changes in their personal characteristics. Example: A typically carefree style of person becomes a worrier, maybe even suspicious of everyone.

Poor Grooming – Neglects personal hygiene, wears dirty clothing or pairs together inappropriate articles of clothing. Example: Does not bathe on a regular basis and may even avoid bathing.

Poor Judgement – Makes choices that are unusual and maybe even unsafe. Example: Chooses to not turn on the heat during a cold freeze to save money.

Repetition – Says or does the same thing over and over. Example: Asks the same question every few minutes, even though you have already given them an answer numerous times.

Books For Children

Alzheimer’s Diesease
by Elaine Landau (Ages: 9-12)

Flowers for Grandpa Dan: A Gentle Story to Help Children Understand Alzheimer’sDisease
by Connie Mclntyre

Nanny’s Special Gift
by Rochelle Potatacke (Ages: preschool to age 8)

The Memory Box
by Mary Bohr (Ages: 6-9)

Remember Me
By Margaret Wild (Ages 4-7)

What’s Wrong With Grandma?
by Margaret Shawver (For young children & older)

Videos & DYP s
Alzheimer’s Disease: Inside Looking Out
by Terra Nova Films

Communication Strategies for Alzheimer’s Patients
from Geriatric Video Productions

The Family Guide To Alzheimer’s Disease
from Life View Resources (5 Volume Set) 2 “Could It Be Alzheimer’s?”
“Could It Be Alzheimer’s?” 11

Books For Adults (cont’d.’)
Living In The Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through The Maze Of Alzheimer’s
by Diana Friel McGowan (also in large print)

My Journey Into Alzheimer’s Disease
by Robert Davis

Speaking Our Minds: Personal Reflections From Individuals With Alzheimer’s Disease
by Lisa Snyder

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease,Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life
by Nancy L. Mace

The Alzheimer’s Sourcebook For Caregivers : A Practical Guide For Getting ThroughThe Day
by Frena Gray-Davidson

The Moral Challenge Of Alzheimer’s Disease
by Stephen G. Post

Two Simple Words: I Forgot: A Personal Yet Universal Alzheimer’s Story
by Mindy Kane

What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia
by Lisa Radin (Editor)

Building a Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease has improved over the years. However, there is still no one test that will provide a definitive diagnosis. Currently, the standard clinical diagnostic process combines physical testing, neuropsychological testing, caregiver input and a medical judgement from the doctor(s).

The inclusion of new diagnostic tools and criteria now make it possible to provide a positive clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease with approximately 90% accuracy. (That’s an increase from years past.) The process involves the primary care doctor and can include specialists, such as a neurologist or psychiatrist. And the whole diagnostic process can take more than 1 day to complete.

Some doctors will be aggressive in their approach. Others will go slower, sensing that the family needs time to deal with personal issues. Listed below are exams and evaluations commonly used in the process of diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lab Tests – Blood and urine tests look for evidence of other disorders that have similar symptoms – anemia, infections, thyroid problems, drug poisoning, liver disease, kidney malfunctions, vitamin B-12 deficiency and many more.

Medical History – A review of current conditions (physical and mental) and prescription medications, along with the family history.

National Institute of Health (NIH) (301) 496-4000

9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 Website: www.nih.gov

National Institute of Mental Health (866) 615-6464

Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 6001 Executive Blvd. Bethesda, MD 20892-9663

Website: www.nimh.nih.gov (800) 352-9424

NIH Neurological Institute

P.O. Box 5801 Bethesda, MD 20824

Website: www.ninds.nih.gov

Books For Adults

Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide and Sourcebook
by Howard Gruetzner

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps In Caring And Treatment
by Daniel Kuhn

Developing Support Groups For Individuals With Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
by Robyn Yale

Hearing The Voice Of People With Dementia
by Malcolm Goldsmith

Resources

Here’s a list of organizations and books that may be valuable to people faced with the possibility of a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Of course, these are not the only resources. This is just a starting point that can help you find the information and expertise you are searching for. One thing will lead to another. Some organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, offer local chapters. Many offer support groups, written materials and videos. And there are many more books written about this debilitating illness. If you use the internet, many of the resources offer links to other helpful websites.

Organizations

Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900

225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 (312) 335-8700

Chicago, IL 60601-7633 Website: www.alz.org

American Society on Aging (800) 537-9728

833 Market St., Suite 511 San Francisco, CA 94103 Website: www.asaging.org

American Stroke Association (888) 478-7653

(Division of Amer. Heart Assn.) 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231

Website: www.strokeassociation.org

Evaluations

Mental Status Evaluation – Doctors takes note of appearance and speech. They ask about moods, phobias, obsessions and hallucinations. Many perform a Mini Mental State Exam. They assess the sense of time and place. They test the ability to remember, understand, communicate, perform simple tasks and do simple calculations. This evaluation may not detect symptoms in the early stage of the illness.

Neurological Exam – Tests the brain and spinal cord for evidence of neurological disorders. MRI, CAT and PET scans search for other possible causes of dementia, including stroke, blood clots, build-up of spinal fluid, tumors and damage from seizures. In the early stage of the illness, the findings are often “normal” or “unremarkable”.

Neuropsychological Evaluation – Test of sensory and motor functions, reasoning, memory, and language function. This evaluation may provide the only evidence of dementia, especially in the early stage.

Psychiatric Evaluation – Assesses mood and other reversible factors that can accompany or mimic Alzheimer’s Disease. These factors include anxiety, depression, paranoia, and other forms of mental illness.

Physical Exam – An evaluation of the vital signs and nutritional status.

Categories of Diagnosis

Here are the 3 common categories used in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease.

[1] Probable – The doctor has ruled out all other possibilities and has concluded that the symptoms are most likely the result of Alzheimer’s Disease.

[2] Possible – The disease process is somewhat different from what is considered normal. Alzheimer’s Disease is the primary cause of the dementia symptoms, but another malady may be affecting the known progression of the disease.

[3] Definite – This diagnosis can only be made after death, through a brain autopsy.

Stages

Here are the common symptoms of each stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. Symptoms from the lower stages are included in the higher stages.

[1] Mild – There are few signs of mental or cognitive problems. Victims commonly forget the names of friends, characters on TV and ingredients in a familiar recipe. They misplace items such as keys and glasses. And they may have difficulty coming up with the right word in a conversation. Plus, these symptoms may be accompanied by strong denial (e.g., lost items may be blamed on theft) and can lead to erratic and exaggerated moods.

[2] Moderate – Cognitive impairment joins the continued loss of short-term memory. This leads to a loss of intellect and reasoning. Victims struggle with more complex tasks like keeping accurate records (e.g., checkbook). They become apathetic and get lost in familiar situations (e.g., going to the bathroom). There may be disorientation to time and place (e.g., forget what season it is and dress inappropriately). Sleep cycles become abnormal and victims can become easily agitated. Moods are more exaggerated and can range from serene to hostile. It’s common to wander and pace.

[3] Severe – By now the victim has lost much of his or her personality. Memory loss is severe and the impairments of the first two stages increase. They may lose their ability to speak or repeat the same words/phrases over and over. There is confusion (e.g., may not know their loved ones or recognize themselves in a mirror). Hallucinations, paranoia and delusions are all possible in this stage. They may loss weight, even while eating well. Around the clock care becomes necessary (can’t dress themselves, loss of control over bodily functions, etc.). In time, they have difficulty walking and even sitting up. Eventually, they are bedridden. In the early stage, the symptoms may not be apparent to others, especially if the victim compensates by keeping lists, staying in familiar territory and avoiding new situations. However, by the moderate stage, the symptoms become very apparent to others.

How To Care For Aging Parents
by Virginia Morris

Alzheimer’s Diesease
by Elaine Landau (Ages: 9-12)

Flowers for Grandpa Dan: A Gentle Story to Help Children Understand Alzheimer’sDisease
by Connie Mclntyre

Nanny’s Special Gift
by Rochelle Potatacke (Ages: preschool to age 8)

The Memory Box
by Mary Bohr (Ages: 6-9)

Remember Me
By Margaret Wild (Ages 4-7)

What’s Wrong With Grandma?
by Margaret Shawver (For young children & older)

Videos & DYP s
Alzheimer’s Disease: Inside Looking Out
by Terra Nova Films

Communication Strategies for Alzheimer’s Patients
from Geriatric Video Productions

The Family Guide To Alzheimer’s Disease
from Life View Resources (5 Volume Set) 2  “Could It Be Alzheimer’s?”
“Could It Be Alzheimer’s?” 11

Books For Adults (cont’d.’)
Living In The Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through The Maze Of Alzheimer’s
by Diana Friel McGowan (also in large print)

My Journey Into Alzheimer’s Disease
by Robert Davis

Speaking Our Minds: Personal Reflections From Individuals With Alzheimer’s Disease
by Lisa Snyder

The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease,Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life
by Nancy L. Mace

The Alzheimer’s Sourcebook For Caregivers : A Practical Guide For Getting ThroughThe Day
by Frena Gray-Davidson

The Moral Challenge Of Alzheimer’s Disease
by Stephen G. Post

Two Simple Words: I Forgot: A Personal Yet Universal Alzheimer’s Story
by Mindy Kane

What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia
by Lisa Radin (Editor)

Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide and Sourcebook
by Howard Gruetzner

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps In Caring And Treatment
by Daniel Kuhn

Developing Support Groups For Individuals With Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
by Robyn Yale

Hearing The Voice Of People With Dementia
by Malcolm Goldsmith