How do you know when to be concerned about someone's behavior? Are there certain signs to look for that signal that someone may have Alzheimer's disease?
A: We are all growing and changing throughout our lifetime, and sometimes people go through some big changes in their personality and behaviors in their later years. Other times, the negative aspects
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this answer we are going to focus on behavior changes in older adults that could be a signal of an underlying health problem.
Some of the important changes to watch for are:
Is the person becoming much more forgetful?
Does the person ask the same question over and over?
Do you notice the person having increasing difficulty with words?
Have you noticed changes in the person's usual character traits - such as going from being outgoing to becoming withdrawn and fearful?
These could be signs of Alzheimer's disease, or some other medical problem, and the person needs to be assessed by their physician.
Behavior changes that are due to a medical problem can take place gradually over time, making it difficult for those close to the person to really notice the change, and therefore register it as a concern.
Just as your friend experienced, many spouses who have a partner with Alzheimer's, report having had feelings of anger and frustration with the person's behavior, before learning they were ill. Many of the changes brought about by medical problems are interpreted as intentional behavior and, only after the medical problem is identified, is the behavior understood.
In other words, partners and other family members many times are simply unaware that certain changes in behavior actually indicate a much deeper problem.
In addition to Alzheimer's disease, there are other medical problems that can cause changes in personality and behaviors. These include strokes, vitamin deficiencies, urinary tract infections, and even clinical depression.
The bottom line is that it doesn't hurt to seek a medical evaluation any time you note a change in yourself or a loved one's behavior. Some real strides are being made in the research of Alzheimer's, and there are treatments to manage it, including effective prescription medicines. One aspect to successful aging is being able to accept the inevitable changes of life. Therefore, take care of yourself, and address any medical concerns immediately.
If you need to speak to someone about your concerns, the Alzheimer's Association has a Helpline at 1-800-660-1993.
Jeannine Clark is a Pescadero resident, medical social worker and private geriatric care
manager with Clark Consult-ing. She writes a bi-monthly column for the Review on topics relating to aging and transitions associated with aging. Send questions to Clark Consulting, P.O. Box 101, Pescadero, CA 94060, or email to: clark@southcoast.net.
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