What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease of the brain that impacts many aspects of cognitive processing, including memory, behavior, and thinking. The progressive nature of Alzheimer's means that it will eventually interfere with the activities of daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
The key features of Alzheimer's include:
- Behavioral & Mood Changes
- Difficulty With Daily Tasks
- Confusion & Disorientation
- Language Problems
- Memory Loss
- Cognitive Decline
Why Recognizing Early Symptoms is Important
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are a variety of interventions and treatments that improve quality of life and slow the progression of the disease. The earlier treatments are implemented, the more effectively symptoms can be managed. Therefore, recognizing early warning signs of Alzheimer's is important.
Common Early Symptoms
- Memory loss
- Difficulty solving problems
- Confusion with time or place
- Difficulty with words, whether speaking or writing
- Changes in mood/personality
What to Do If You Notice Early Signs
Recognize the Warning Signs: If you care for older loved ones, make sure you are aware of the early warning signs of Alzheimer's so that you can seek guidance and care early.
Schedule a Doctor's Appointment: If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, please promptly schedule an appointment with your loved one's care provider for further screening.
Get a Medical Evaluation: Early intervention is one of the keys to slowing the progression of Alzheimer's and keeping quality of life as high as possible for as long as possible.
Educate Yourself & Plan Ahead: An Alzheimer's diagnosis can be incredibly shocking and difficult to process. However, individuals living with Alzheimer's and their families state that planning ahead and thinking through what the future might look like is incredibly helpful for all parties. This might include planning for progressive levels of care, financial planning, and getting an individual's affairs in order while they are still cognitively strong.
Make Lifestyle Adjustments: Many of the interventions for Alzheimer's disease involve lifestyle adjustments. These might include reducing stress, prioritizing quality sleep, building social support networks, creating a manageable and structured routine that involves physical exercise and time in nature, and improving the physical safety of one's home environment.
Seek Support: Following a diagnosis, seeking support from as many trusted sources as possible is highly encouraged. There are a variety of free support groups (occurring both virtually and in person). Reach out to your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association to request resources. Your care team can also suggest local resources that might be available.
Comfortable Setting for Mobile Care Services
Providing an alternative to institutional care, our beautiful rooms and grounds evoke an inviting, homey feel while still having enough space to accommodate specialized equipment for mobile care services. Our caregivers and staff are familiar with the providers and organizations that offer mobile care services for the elderly. We collaborate with them to make sure your loved one is comfortable and comprehensively cared for.
HarborView's Lush Gardens and Charming Accommodations
HarborView Senior Assisted Living operates out of an elegant, 30-bed, historic home originally built in 1927. Our thoughtful and thorough renovation process preserved the beautiful historic features while adding all of the necessary modern amenities to create a safe and spacious setting for your loved one. Our members enjoy lush gardens, a gorgeous patio area, fantastic views of downtown San Diego, and charming accommodations.
HarborView Named One of the Best Senior Living Communities in San Diego
We are committed to quality, personalized care at HarborView Senior Assisted Living. We've even been named one of the best senior living communities in San Diego for three years running! To find out what sets us apart, give us a call and schedule a tour of our one-of-a-kind assisted living home located in Bankers Hill, San Diego.
