With Glen Campbell’s recent announcement about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Saint Agnes Hospital’s Dr. James Richardson, Chief of Geriatric Medicine, would like to remind family and friends dealing with older persons about the warning signs for this life-impacting disease.

06/23/2011

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired.

“Early detection is the key to living with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Richardson. “Knowing the signs will allow the affected person and their caregivers to seek treatment and effectively plan for the future.”

While symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen over time, early signs of the disease include the following:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality

“Living with Alzheimer’s will certainly affect a patient’s way of life, but with proper treatment, support, and planning, people with Alzheimer’s can still lead a very rewarding life,” said Dr. Richardson.

To view a video regarding Alzheimer's click here.