Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions » Information
I’m not entirely certain, but I think my dad may have the onset of Alzheimer’s. How can I find out?
You need to seek out medical attention, the sooner the better. Make an appointment to see your father's primary physician. If you are concerned about insulting your father, call the clinic or physician's office to explain the reason for your visit. Be certain to ask the doctor or practitioner if they feel prepared to be of help and support to you and your family. By asking this question, you allow the health care professional to refer you to someone else who may better serve your needs.
Memory loss is not uncommon, and most physicians are adept at testing and talking about these issues without raising a lot of concern on your father's part.
The initial symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease are difficult to see, because they can be easily masked by the person with the illness. They may misplace things, have difficulties finding words or using words that don't make sense. There may be some signs of short-term memory loss or the family may notice that certain tasks are not being performed as usual.
If your father is managing his own affairs, you may find that he has unopened bills laying about, or he may be stressed about knowing if he's paid a bill or not. It is common for people early in the disease to not be able to work with numbers and figures or to begin to be early or late for appointments or gatherings.
If your father is using more humor and this is out of character for him, you may have reason to suspect that he has an onset of Alzheimer's Disease. People who have the disease both knowingly and unknowingly become less uptight about laughing and making light of things in the early stages of the process.
Last update: 2007-05-08 01:24
Author: Tech Support
Revision: 1.0
