Does an elderly person in your home forget everything? Let's talk about Alzheimer's!

Have you ever noticed that your beloved mother, father, grandmother or aunt is slowly changing? They may not remember what they had for breakfast, ask the same questions over and over again, or even have trouble finding familiar paths. Often we think that this is just a normal part of aging. But not all forgetfulness is simply a symptom of aging. It could be an early sign of a condition like Alzheimer's. So today, let's learn more about it.

Simply put, what is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia . Dementia is a condition in which brain function gradually deteriorates, leading to a loss of memory, thinking, reasoning, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the gradual death of brain cells and the loss of connections between brain cells.

Think of our brain as a vast library of information. Alzheimer's disease is like losing books (memories) in this library one by one. The most recently added books (recent memories) are the first to be lost. But the oldest books (childhood memories) can remain for a long time. This is why a person with Alzheimer's may not remember what they had for dinner last night, but they can clearly remember something that happened 50 years ago.

What are the risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease?

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease has not been found, doctors have identified several factors that increase the risk. Some of these are things we can control. These are very important for us in Sri Lanka.

Symptoms that help identify the disease early

Just because someone has one or two of these symptoms doesn't mean they have Alzheimer's. But if they persist and affect your daily life, it's important to see a doctor for advice .

• Forgetting recent events: getting confused about the day, forgetting what was being said, asking the same question over and over again.
• Difficulty doing familiar tasks: Even simple tasks like making tea, cooking a meal, and keeping your clothes tidy become difficult.
• Forgetting words: Even simple words don't come to mind right away when speaking. Sometimes the wrong words are used instead.
• Confusion of time and place: Forgetting where they are, the day, month, and year. Sometimes they may say, "I want to go home," even when they are at home.
• Reduced decision-making ability: This can lead to things like making bad decisions when using money and being easily deceived by strangers.
• Misplacing things: Doing unusual things like leaving the keys in the fridge or leaving the purse in the sugar bottle.
• Changes in behavior and personality: A person who was previously very sociable suddenly becomes quiet, angry, suspicious of everything, and anxious.

Why not just leave this alone?

In Sri Lanka, it is part of our culture to respect and take care of the elderly. But sometimes we see these symptoms as "just a part of getting older." We make up our minds, "Oh, Mom is getting old, that's why she's so forgetful."

But that's not the truth. If these symptoms are due to a disease like Alzheimer's, it's important to see a doctor early and get a diagnosis . There are several reasons for this:

1. Know the real cause: Perhaps the cause of this memory loss is a vitamin deficiency, a thyroid problem, or another treatable condition. A doctor can diagnose it for you.

2. Disease management: Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are medications and treatments that can help control symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

3. Planning for the future: Knowing about the disease early gives the family time to plan for the patient's future care, legal matters, and financial matters.

4. Ensuring safety: The patient can be at risk from things like traveling alone, using fire or electricity. A diagnosis can help the family become aware of this and create a safe environment.

You who care for a sick person are strong.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is not easy. It is both physically and mentally exhausting. It is normal to feel sad, angry, and helpless as you watch your loved one gradually change.

• Practice patience: Even if the patient asks the same question ten times, answer patiently. To them, each time they ask is like the first time.
• Create a safe environment: Remove dangerous areas in the home (slippery floors, sharp objects). Put safety locks on doors so the patient cannot go out alone.
• Simple communication: Speak in short, simple sentences. Don't give too many instructions at once.
• Think about yourself: While caring for the patient, think about your own health. Take breaks, and ask for help if you have someone to help you. Your mental health is also very important.

Alzheimer's, dementia, forgetfulness, memory loss, elderly care, brain disease