Your Wellness with NorthBay Health Experts

Your Wellness is a blog focused on general health topics and information from NorthBay's excellent cadre of health care professionals.

The Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

November 29, 2017
 

Did you know that every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease? That's 1,289 people every 24 hours! Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and almost two-thirds of those who die from the disease are women, according to Sandy Perez, program manager for the NorthBay Adult Day Center in Vacaville.

"Another fact that gets my attention is that, of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, Alzheimer's is the only one that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed," she said. "No survivors! In 2017 there are 5.5 million Americans living with this disease, but by 2050 that number will swell to an estimated 13.8 million, if we haven't found a cure."

Do you worry that someone in your family is becoming forgetful as they age? The Alzheimer's Association offers a list of the top 10 early signs and symptoms of the disease. They are:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting important dates or events.
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty in concentrating or taking longer to do things than before.
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure.
  • Confusion with time or place.
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, judging distance, reading signs or determining colors.
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing, such as stopping mid-sentence or calling things by the wrong name.
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
  • Decreased or poor judgment.
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities.
  • Changes in mood and personality.

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you love, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

"I have worked in this field for more than 30 years and I've seen first-hand how devastating this disease can be to the person who has it, and to their family," Perez said. "NorthBay Healthcare is committed to this community. We offer a respite program that operates five days a week, for 12 hours a day. We also operate an Alzheimer's Resource Center and on-going community education and support groups."

For further information, call (707) 624-7970.

 

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