Hi everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about something that’s dear to my heart and I’m sure many of yours too: Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve seen its impact firsthand on my sweet Aunt June, who was diagnosed a few years back. Trust me when I say, understanding and early detection of this condition are so, so important. Let’s dive into it.
First, What is Alzheimer’s?
Before we dive in, let’s understand what we’re dealing with. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, destructive neurological condition that attacks the brain’s nerve cells or neurons, leading to loss of memory, cognitive abilities and even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It’s the most common cause of dementia among older adults, says the National Institute on Aging [source].
How Does Early Detection Help?
From my experience with Aunt June, early detection can make a big difference. But don’t just take it from me. The Alzheimer’s Association explains that early diagnosis could help individuals with their planning, resource access, receive interventions and even have better chances of benefiting from clinical trials [source].
For instance, my aunt was able to become part of an experimental drug program that aims to slow down Alzheimer’s progression. Because her condition was detected early, she was eligible for this and she’s shown signs of improvement – she even remembers my name!
Spotting The Early Signs
Now, you might be wondering, “What are the early signs I should look for?” I asked myself the same thing before. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the early signs include memory disruptions, especially of recent events, trouble with spatial and visual images, and difficulty finding the right words [source].
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Confusion with time or place.
- Problems with words in speaking or writing.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
We started noticing similar signs with Aunt June. Forgetting recent events, trouble finding her way back home – these were our calls to get her checked. And honestly, I’m glad we caught it early rather than be in the dark.
Closing Thoughts
Before I end today’s post, I want to remind everyone that while Alzheimer’s is indeed a tough battle, early detection can help manage the journey better. It’s not about the cure, but about enhancing the quality of life, just like what we are trying to do for Aunt June.
So let’s be vigilant in looking out for signs not just in ourselves but also in our loved ones. If you’ve got any experiences to share about this, feel free to reach out. Remember, we’re in this together.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.