Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive condition. How quickly it progresses and what symptoms it causes in its early stages aren’t exactly the same for each person.
Often, memory problems are the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. People in the early stages will have trouble understanding, finding the right words, or making decisions.
At first, these symptoms may be mild. But as the disease gets worse and more connections between brain cells are lost, the symptoms will become more obvious and have a bigger impact on the person’s life.
When you’re first caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. You may not know what to do or expect at this point.
Finding the right help and resources can ensure that the person you’re caring for receives the treatment they need to improve their quality of life. Getting good support early on can also ease the burden of caregiving on you and other loved ones.
Alzheimer’s disease progresses through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. These stages are based on changes that are happening in the brain, and on symptoms.
In the mild or early stage, the person may still be able to live independently. They can take care of themselves, get out to socialize, and even work, but they’re starting to show signs of problems. Some people stay in the early stage for several years.
Family members and friends may notice symptoms
like:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life: The person forgets information they’ve recently learned or read, gets lost in familiar places while walking or driving, and repeats questions. They misplace or lose objects like their wallet and car keys, which may wind up in unusual places like the refrigerator or washing machine. And they have difficulty remembering everyday words (like “chair” or “cat”).
- Difficulty completing tasks: They take longer and have more trouble when trying to complete everyday tasks like paying bills, using a cell phone, or following a recipe they’ve been cooking for years. It is harder for them to plan and problem-solve.
- Confusion about time and place: They lose track of the date and time, and they miss important events like anniversaries and birthdays.
- Decreased judgment: They make poor decisions about money, forget to shower or brush their teeth, and are more likely to fall for scams.
- Personality and mood changes: They become more anxious, angry, and agitated (acting irritable or fidgety) than usual, and they may withdraw from friends and family.
Some people who have early stage Alzheimer’s disease might not notice that they have a problem, and that can lead to frustration, especially if they blame others for lost items or forgotten appointments. On the other hand, some people with early Alzheimer’s might realize there is something wrong with their memory and thinking, and they might try to hide it, or they might discuss it with their loved ones and doctors.
When you see these types of symptoms, reach out for medical help. You can start with your loved one’s primary care doctor. They may refer you to a neurologist, geriatric psychiatrist, or other specialist for tests and treatment.
Although Alzheimer’s disease isn’t curable, a few medications may help to slow the progression of the disease for some people. Other treatments are available to treat behavioral symptoms like agitation and trouble sleeping.
You might also consider enrolling your loved one in a clinical trial of a new Alzheimer’s treatment.
Here are some other steps you can take now to improve the situation.
Investigate long-term care
Even if the person with Alzheimer’s disease can live independently now, they likely will need help with activities of daily living in the future. Talk with a doctor or a social worker about the types of care they might need, and how much it will cost.
Look into Medicare coverage and government resources such as Medicaid and veterans’ benefits for assistance. And check with your local Agency on Aging for low cost or free programs.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the person may need your help with tasks that require memory, planning, and decision-making, such as:
- managing money
- grocery shopping and preparing meals
- filling prescriptions and taking their medications
- remembering appointments
- getting from place to place if they can no longer drive safely
You may want to recruit other family members and friends to help with these and other day-to-day tasks so you don’t get overwhelmed. Eventually, you may need outside help, as well.
Caregiving isn’t easy. It’s important to make sure you have enough support so you don’t get burned out.
You might consider bringing in an occupational therapist at this stage. This specialist can recommend modifications to the home and daily tasks to keep your loved one safe and independent for as long as possible.
If the person with Alzheimer’s needs more care than you can provide, look into home-based care. Home caregivers offer a range of services, including:
- companionship
- help with personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating
- skilled medical care such as injections and physical therapy
Your doctor or social worker can recommend home care providers in your community. They can also help you get in touch with local organizations to help you coordinate and pay for this care.
While you help your loved one manage their situation today, also anticipate their needs in the future. The early stage of Alzheimer’s may be too soon for assisted living or nursing home care. But it’s never too early to start looking into this type of care, because your loved one may eventually need more help than you can provide.
Consider not only the types of care they’ll need but how to pay for them. An assisted living facility can cost close to $5,000 per month, while a nursing home costs more than $100,000 per year. You may go over your loved one’s finances with a planner to make sure they’re covered when their needs increase.