Courtesy of Juniper Glen Memory Care Assisted Living

Alzheimer’s disease is an insidious illness that slowly robs individuals of their memories, personalities, and relationships. According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that causes brain atrophy and cell death, which contributes to continuous decline in thinking, behavioral, and social skills. This eventually affects a person’s ability to live independently.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to affect approximately 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and older. While there currently is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, there are strategies that can help mitigate symptoms. An ability to recognize dementia symptoms early can help millions take proactive steps to improve quality of life.

Wendy Anzalone, Executive Director of Juniper Glen Memory Care Assisted Living (Juniper Glen), knows all too well when families begin to notice some of the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and reach out to her. Often, this happens when people come together to enjoy the start of the holiday season.

This November, during National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Juniper Glen and the Alzheimer’s Association warn of common signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to look for in loved ones this season.

  • Recent memory loss that affects daily life. While it is normal to forget where you left keys, names or even telephone numbers from time to time, a person with dementia may have difficulty remembering recent events or where they live.
  • Personality changes. Individuals may begin to show subtle differences in their personalities, including mood swings. For example, a person who is easygoing may become reluctant to interact with others.
  • Difficulty with familiar routes. A person with dementia may have regular difficulty driving familiar routes or finding the way home.
  • Trouble finding the right words. Finding words to converse freely can be difficult for people with Alzheimer’s. Such individuals may experience particular difficulty finding the right words to express their thoughts or identify objects.
  • Disorientation with time. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may be confused about the time of day and what is appropriate for that time.
  • Decreased or poor judgement. Individuals with dementia may make consistently poor decisions and may start paying less attention to their physical appearance.
  • Difficulty following a plan. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may have challenges solving problems, such as working with numbers, following a recipe, or keeping track of finances.

Early signs of dementia may be confused as normal age-related changes. However, when such signs present themselves, it is critical to speak with medical professionals to get a clear diagnosis. If you would like to learn more about Juniper Glen, come to an open house on either Wednesday November 9th, Wednesday November 16th, or Wednesday November 30th, from 3 to 6 pm. You will learn about living options, activities, apartments, short-term care, and more. Due to limited seating, please RSVP five days prior to the event date by calling 716-568-2099, where you can also schedule a private tour. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/3a74h6up.