Thursday, November 29, 2012

Alzheimer's Awareness Month
November is quickly coming to a close. What a blessed month it has been! We didn't want to close this month's blog postings without recognizing that November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. This month we want to recognize and honor those who are living with Alzheimer's disease, as well as their families, friends and caregivers.

Many Americans dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer's believing that these symptoms are a part of normal aging. They are diagnosed too late and miss the opportunity to get the best care possible. This is of even greater concern for African-Americans, who are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than whites.

It may be hard to know the difference between age-related changes and the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. To help, the Alzheimer's Association has created this list of warning signs:
  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or leisure
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Decreased or poor judgement
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Change in mood of personality

If you or someone you care about it experiencing any of the 10 warning signs, please see a doctor to find the cause. Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for the future.

Source: www.alzheimers.gov

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