Early warnings of dementia or Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks the brain. and is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, as many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. The disease gets worse over time, and is fatal. Today it is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

The Alzheimer's Association has 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. They are:

1. Memory loss.
2. Difficulty in performing familiar tasks.
3. Problems with language.
4. Disorientation as to time and place.
5. Poor or decreased judgment.
6. Problems with abstract thinking.
7. Misplaced things.
8. Changes in mood or behavior.
9. Changes in personality.
10. Loss of initiative.

While not all of the these symptoms may be apparent early on in the progress of the disease, the presence of a combination of these factors may indicate that medical treatment is necessary.

One of the most important things to accomplish early on in the progress of the disease is getting your affairs in order. It is inevitable that the afflicted person will lose the ability to make decisions about their business and estate matters. If you have not already done so, you should consult with an attorney about forming an estate plan before the disease becomes too severe to allow the person to make decisions. Please call me with any questions you may have about getting your affairs in order.