i need to know about Alzheimer's and what its like in the beginning?

Question

i think my grandma may have it,she forgets things she acts different and she thinks some unrealistic things like a space heater in her bedroom can heat the whole house ,she thinks it heats all the way down our long hall way into the living room which is a really long way from her room

i am looking ore for personal expeirence with it and maybe examples of things loved ones did,the interenet didnt really help much

Answer 1

My grandfather -in- law just died last night. He had alzheimers....
Beginners stage is dementia. They start repeating themselves. Asking the same questions. Saying "I forgot" or "I don't know" to things they should know. You will notice them struggling with daily activities. Once this starts happening it is best to take them to a doctor to give a proper diagnosis. They have test and things they can run on them to find out if in fact they have Alzheimers disease.
Later, you will notice them telling stories of their past. They start to lapse into the past. They will no longer recognize themselves in the mirror. "they think they are younger than what they see in the mirror" They will forget when they ate last, slept last, and they will unfortunately forget who you are or what your relationship is to them. If you are around them constantly they will recognize you but not know who you are. (my grandfather-in-law started calling his daughter by his wife's name) She took care of him after his wife passed away. He started getting angry and more frustrated. (this usually happens because he cannot do his daily activities himself and that he cannot remember what he is trying to say or think). He began getting upset and yelling at the person in the mirror. He would also tell stories that never happened. He would forget where the bathroom was and go wherever he pleased. He would try to leave the house wanting to go "home" his childhood home.
It is very hard for the caregiver during these stages especially if they are related to the person. My heart goes out to my mother in law for not giving up and for taking care of him up to yesterday.
If your grandmother is diagnosed with Alzheimers then my prayers are with you.

Answer 2

Alzheimer's can be very subtle when it starts.

Now, some people are going to have unrealistic expectations or unusual quirks no matter what. So thinking that the space heater can heat the whole house isn't really a good indicator. But if she has the heater on in her bedroom, then can't figure out why the living room is still cold, she may have a problem.

If she starts forgetting things that she has known a long time, you can be pretty sure some form of dementia or perhaps a stroke is involved.

Good luck.

Answer 3

This may not be Alzheimer's at all but senile dementia. Your grandmother would benefit from a physical exam to rule out an organic cause and to monitor her overall health. It's a normal part of the aging process to experience some memory loss but you say your grandmother behaves differently and thinks unrealistically. She may need to be placed in an assisted-living situation or have a home companion to help her. Decisions like these are best made after she has a check up. Have your parents noticed these changes as well? Tell them your observations and concerns and get them involved in arranging a doctor visit.

Answer 4

It generally starts with simple things like forgetting where you put something in the inittial stage. Patients also become confussed expecially after dark, This is known as sundowning. Your loved one needs to be in fimiliar surroundings so as not to intensify the confussuon. Also p;ease dont take it personel if your loved one does not know who you are in the advanced stage.
This is common

Answer 5

As we age there are changes in the brain's functioning. She may not necessarily have Alzheimer's. Here's a couple of links to check out...
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm
www.alz.org