As people age, their cognitive abilities tend to decline. One condition that’s becoming more common is Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 6 million people in this country live with this disease, but that number is expected to more than double to 13 million by 2050.

A person who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will likely move through several stages. Each is progressively worse than the prior one. Working closely with a medical care team can help you to determine what’s going on.

Early-Stage Symptoms

It’s often difficult to spot the early signs of this disease. Some symptoms might be attributed to normal aging. Other factors include:

  • Forgetting common things like a family member’s name
  • Losing their memory, particularly short-term memory
  • Becoming repetitive with questions or statements
  • Misplacing things they use often, such as keys or phones
  • Being unwilling to try new things or be flexible

Middle-Stage Symptoms

The issues that come with Alzheimer’s get a little worse in this middle stage. It’s often at this point that it becomes obvious that something is amiss. Some of the more common signs that alert family members to the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Repetitive, almost obsessive behavior
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Trouble with communication
  • Delusions and impulsive behavior
  • Mood swings that lead to agitation
  • Difficulty with daily life care

Late-Stage Symptoms

Late-stage Alzheimer’s requires extensive life care, and it’s often impossible for family members to provide what the person needs. Some common signs of this stage include:

  • Major problems with short-term and long-term memory
  • Loss of speech that happens slowly
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Considerable trouble with daily life care, including mobility

One of the best things you can do for a loved one who you feel is showing signs of cognitive decline is to help them find a memory care program that focuses on full-life care. This can encompass activities and socialization to help them enjoy their days. Safety is also an issue, so memory care programs have safeguards to prevent wandering and other safety hazards.

Memory care programs focus on providing a familiar environment with structured days so the residents can thrive. Activities that help to slow cognitive decline are provided. Life care assistance focuses on keeping the individual safe while still respecting their right to dignity. Get in touch with Palm Bay Memory Care today to learn about our memory care services.