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Dementia

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia?

Kim Trevey on Jun 28, 2022
What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Distinguishing between early signs of dementia and normal signs of aging is confusing.

You occasionally forget birthdays and appointments.

Is this dementia or normal aging?

You get lost more easily and can’t find your way to places you normally could.

Is it dementia or that the highways have changed so much over the years that you simply can’t remember?

Your family members are telling you you’re more irritable than usual.

Is this a sign of dementia or that you’re getting older and more set in your ways?

Dementia is not a natural part of the aging process. It is a sign that serious damage has been done to cells in the brain. Knowing the early signs will help you distinguish between what is regular behavior associated with getting older and what is neurodegeneration associated with dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia in and of itself is not a disease. It’s a group of symptoms associated with cognitive decline that is caused by other diseases, the primary one being Alzheimer’s disease. But there are several other types of dementia, including vascular dementia (the second most common type), Lewy bodies dementia and frontotemporal dementia, to name a few.

Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

While early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary based on the individual, there are ten common early signs that could indicate you are experiencing more than natural aging and may be developing Alzheimer’s.

1. Memory loss

Memory Loss - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Dementia-related memory loss affects and disrupts your everyday life. Forgetting something you recently learned, needing to ask the same question repeatedly and relying on hand-written notes are other memory aids can be early signs of Alzheimer’s.

2. Trouble with planning

Trouble with Planning - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

You might have a hard time planning or following through with a plan, including simple everyday plans such as following a recipe or keeping track of your bills.

3. Difficulty completing a task

Difficulty completing a task

If you routinely start a task, such as writing your grocery list or cleaning your kitchen, and then find that you forget to finish it or don’t have the attention span to, this could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

4. Disorientation with time or place

If you’re losing track of time, what season it is, what day it is or you forget where you are or feel confused about how you go there, these are early indicators of Alzheimer’s.

5. Vision problems

Vision Problems - Early Signs of Dementia

If you’re struggling with vision or judging distances, this could also be a sign of Alzheimer’s.

6. Confusion in conversation and difficulty finding words

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Not being able to think of a word when writing or speaking and struggling to keep up with conversation or remember the first part of a conversation are signs of early Alzheimer’s.

7. Losing or not being able to keep track of items

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Another sign of Alzheimer’s disease includes losing items regularly and not being able to keep track of them like you used to. (This is why many people with Alzheimer’s will accuse others of stealing.)

8. Poor judgment

Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Perhaps you used to be frugal and make good decisions with your money. With Alzheimer’s you may find that you are suddenly making poor judgment calls with your finances or other important areas of your life.

9. Social isolation

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Due to the other symptoms of Alzheimer’s, you may be more inclined to isolate yourself, avoiding social gatherings in order to avoid conversation mishaps, confusion or embarrassment.

10. Mood and personality shifts

What Are The Early Signs of Dementia? - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Another early sign of Alzheimer’s includes moodiness or a change in personality. You might be more anxious or irritable. Family members and close friends will likely notice this before you do, and they may bring it up with you.

Early signs of vascular dementia

Vascular Dementia - The Breckinridge - Lexington

Vascular dementia develops as a result of restricted blood flow to blood vessels in the brain. The early signs of vascular dementia are similar to that of Alzheimer’s but can include more physically-related signs, including:

  • stroke-like symptoms: muscle weakness or temporary paralysis in the body
  • movement problems: difficulty walking or a change in the way you walk

Early signs of frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a term that covers any type of dementia that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are the areas of the brain associated with personality, language and behavior.

Early signs of frontotemporal dementia include:

  • changes in personality
  • lack of social awareness
  • difficulty with language and finding the right words
  • obsessive behaviors

Early signs of Lewy bodies dementia

Lewy Bodies Dementia

Lewy bodies dementia is caused by abnormal deposits of protein in the brain, known as Lewy bodies.

Early signs of Lewy bodies dementia include:

  • confusion that comes and goes
  • visual hallucinations
  • slowed physical movements
  • falling or fainting repeatedly
  • trouble sleeping

Summary

If you’ve noticed any of these early signs of dementia in yourself or a loved one, contact your doctor. Your doctor can administer a series of tests to determine whether you have symptoms of dementia or are simply aging. Blood tests and MRIs can also determine if you have any signs of neurodegeneration that would suggest the presence of dementia.

While dementia cannot be cured, early diagnosis allows for more effective treatment with medications that can slow its progression, giving you and your loved ones a chance to plan for the future and ensure the best quality of life possible.

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at The Breckinridge!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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