Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, and the disease generally affects a senior’s thinking abilities, mental health, and memory. Understanding the progressive condition could help family caregivers develop plans to treat symptoms and boost their aging loved ones’ quality of life. Continue reading to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
Memory Damage
Memory impairment generally depends on the impact Alzheimer’s has on functional brain integrity. However, the disease almost always interferes with the formation of memories in the neural networks. Treatment for the progressive disorder is based on the current stage of the disease, the type of damage done, the way it affects the brain, and the limitations it places on daily life. Not all memories are affected equally by Alzheimer’s, so some types of memory will function better than others.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, help is just a phone call away. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Clearwater Home Care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Short-Term Memory
Short-term memory is stored in the part of the brain that holds information in an active and readily available state for short periods. Alzheimer’s typically impacts the short-term memory first, causing seniors to forget things that happened that morning or a couple of days before. For example, your loved one may remember what he or she wore on his or her first date decades ago but have difficulty recalling what he or she ate for dinner last night. Since short-term memory is often the first to go with Alzheimer’s, you should look for subtle signs, such as misplacing car keys and remote controls or forgetting about plans your loved one just made with you. Dismissing this type of confusion and forgetfulness as the effects of normal aging could delay your loved one’s treatment and allow Alzheimer’s symptoms to worsen.
Episodic, Semantic, and Procedural Memory
As the disease progresses, it will disrupt the ability to remember personal moments (episodic), commonly known facts (semantic), and everyday skills (procedural). As a result, your loved one may display combative behavior due to agitation and confusion. When procedural memory is impacted, your loved one may have difficulty maintaining an independent lifestyle, and doing basic tasks—such as cooking, cleaning, driving, and bathing—may present a challenge. Remember there will be good days and bad days, and your loved one’s various types of memory may become impaired in different ways as the disease progresses.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Treatment
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are ways to reduce the risk of developing the disease or slow its progression. Keeping your parent physically and socially active could boost his or her cognitive health and reduce memory loss. Find purposeful activities your loved one can do to stimulate the mind and keep the brain active. Singing is one of the best therapies for Alzheimer’s because music memory is rarely affected by the disease, even in the middle and late stages. Other ways your loved one can boost memory and cognitive function include:
• Controlling blood sugar levels
• Getting regular exercise
• Managing stress
• Doing things independently
• Eating healthy
• Attending regular checkups with his or her primary care physician
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Clearwater Home Care Assistance provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease. Call Home Care Assistance today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about our high-quality in-home Alzheimer’s care services.