The belief that memory loss and personality changes are part of the normal aging process needs to be challenged. We may recall stern grandparents, have used the term “senior moment”, or watched as neighbors seem to get more reclusive as they age. How might we recognize changes in our parents or friends? I know it took my family a while to recognize the warning signs.
Recently I have been hearing “my mother repeats herself, but she doesn’t have dementia.” I usually will ask one question: “Was she always this way?” When the answer is “no” I tell them any personality change could be an early warning sign of some form of dementia or other medical issue.
Australia, the home of Kate Swaffer, shared a new resource that offers video’s that help explain the general disease of dementia (Alzheimer’s is just one form) and how it might be recognized in your daily life. Check out this great resource.
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