Alzheimer’s Symptoms and Awareness in Lincolnton

Did you know that Alzheimer’s is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States?

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a biological process that begins with a buildup of proteins and tangles in the brain. This causes brain cells to die and the brain to shrink. As it progresses, it gets worse. There are three stages of the disease: mild, moderate, and severe. In the mild stage, people start to experience greater memory loss and cognitive issues than typical. Examples include wandering and getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, normal tasks taking longer, and personality changes. In the moderate stage, damage spreads to the part of the brain that controls language, reasoning, and sensory processing. People may begin having trouble recognizing friends and family members, an inability to learn new things, carry out multistep tasks, or cope with new situations. In the final stage, people cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for their care.

Fast Facts

• Roughly 7 million people in the US over 65 years old are living with Alzheimer’s disease
• 60%-70% of those with dementia across the world have Alzheimer’s
• There is no cure for the disease
• Medication can improve symptoms or slow cognitive decline

Symptoms

Brain changes from Alzheimer’s disease may lead to the following symptoms that will progressively worsen:

• Memory issues – memory loss related to Alzheimer’s is lasting, and over time, it will affect the ability to function at work and home.
• Thinking and reasoning – doing more than one task at a time will start to become increasingly difficult.
• Making judgements and decisions – those affected may start to make poor choices in a social setting or wear clothes for the wrong type of weather.
• Planning and performing familiar tasks – routine activities that require multiple steps can also be hard for those affected. As it advances, people forget how to do basic tasks like dressing.
• Changes in personality and behavior – brain changes can affect moods and behaviors. This includes depression, loss of interest in activities, mood swings, not trusting others, and more.

Local Resources

Alzheimer’s Association – holds local support groups for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers in North Carolina. Support groups are led by trained facilitators via phone, video, or in person.

Dementia Alliance of North Carolina – they provide personal, individualized support to thousands of families from across the state. Their programs offer CARE – Comfort, Assistance, Resources, and Education to individuals and families living with dementia.

How Can Griswold Help?

At Griswold Home Care for Gaston & Lincoln Counties, we offer a range of care services, including dementia care support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Included in our dementia-focused care, our Caregivers can reintroduce themselves when they arrive, prepare meals that accommodate struggles with utensils, stimulate short-term memory through cognitive activities, interact with them in their version of reality, and help them recall a life well-lived.

If you or a senior loved one needs home care, we want you to know that Griswold is here for you. While we don’t offer medical services, our in-home care options provide personal care, homemaking, and companionship through our compassionate Caregivers. Our goal is to make sure you feel secure and supported. Maybe you are the primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and the long hours of caregiving, along with your other responsibilities, have started to take a toll. If you’re stressed out while caring for a loved one, that will only make it worse. Allow us to take that off your shoulders.

With our respite care, our Caregivers can provide care for a few hours a day or a couple of times a week. If you need more, our services range from a few hours to 24/7 home care. Please reach out to us at (704) 266-6952 today to discuss how we can create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. In many situations, we can have a Caregiver in your home within 24 hours.