As chairperson of the Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition, I am often approached with these types of statements: “I think I have Alzheimer’s. My memory is not like it used to be.” My response is always, “Unless you have been assessed and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I would not say that!!!” I would say that we, as older adults, are having normal aging symptoms.
November is recognized as “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month” and here is some information to help understand the disease: Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years, and eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. The key notation is “severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.”
Here’s a common example: As we age, we may misplace our car keys from time to time, but are able to retrace the steps to find them—either immediately or a short time later. A person living with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and not be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing the keys, especially as the disease progresses (hopefully they are not still driving).
The Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition will continue to provide you with ongoing
information. You can learn more about dementia (locally) by
accessing: YouTube: Springfield Dementia Friendly
Coalition (Brain Health) https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9rwr57B9bQQ
&t=629s and/or A Caregiver’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=PSLuH4keOY8&t=174s
Also like us on Facebook:
Springfield Dementia Friendly
Coalition. We can be reached at
spflddementiafriendlycoalition@
gmail.com. ■