Published on February 25, 20254 min read

Early warning signs of dementia: You may be closer than you think

Alzheimer's disease is a common mental illness that affects the brain function of the elderly, their memory and their ability to live in daily life. Studies have shown that the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is increasing, so it is very important to detect and screen for Alzheimer's disease in a timely manner. At present, there are 10 self-test methods that can help the elderly find out whether they have Alzheimer's disease. The following is a detailed introduction to these methods.

1. Memory test: The elderly can try to memorize a new number, such as a phone number, and then recall it after five minutes. Generally speaking, healthy elderly people should be able to recall it easily, while patients with Alzheimer's disease will have difficulty.

2. Cognitive test: This test also targets the memory of the elderly. Usually, the elderly need to answer some intellectual questions, such as calculating the multiplication result of a number, or identifying a new picture, and then answer questions within a certain period of time.

3. Recognition test: This test not only tests the memory of the elderly, but also examines their ability to recognize objects around them. The elderly in the recognition test need to recognize some daily objects, such as chairs, computers, telephones, etc. If the elderly cannot recognize them, they may have Alzheimer's disease.

4. Intelligence test: Intelligence test is the most common method for screening Alzheimer's disease. The elderly need to answer some intellectual questions, such as calculating the multiplication result of a number, or answering some historical questions. If the elderly cannot answer, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

5. Speech test: The elderly can try to express their ideas in words. For example, they can try to describe an event in words, or try to answer some questions in words. If the elderly cannot express it correctly, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

6. Memory task: The elderly can try to complete some memory tasks, such as memorizing the name of a family member, or memorizing the name of an object. If the elderly cannot remember correctly, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

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7. Memorize words: The elderly can try to memorize some new words, such as some common words in life, or some professional terms. If the elderly cannot remember them correctly, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

8. Spatial positioning: The elderly can try to locate the position of some objects, such as the position of the chair, the position of the TV, or the position of some furniture. If the elderly cannot locate them correctly, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

9. Meet friends: The elderly can try to meet some friends, such as old classmates, old friends, or new acquaintances. If the elderly cannot recognize friends, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

10. Daily activities: The elderly can try to complete some daily activities, such as cooking, washing clothes, or cleaning. If the elderly cannot complete them correctly, they may suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

Early detection and detection of Alzheimer's disease are crucial to the health and safety of the elderly. The above 10 self-test methods can help the elderly find out whether they have Alzheimer's disease. However, the final diagnosis of whether they have Alzheimer's disease still needs to be diagnosed by a professional doctor. Therefore, it is recommended that the elderly go to the hospital for regular check-ups to ensure their health.

Help and Support

No one should face Alzheimer's disease alone. The Alzheimer's Association is here for you, day and night. Our programs and support services connect you with peers and professionals to help you make the plans and adjustments necessary to live your best life for as long as possible.

▸24/7 Helpline: Call 800.272.3900 any time for free, confidential support. Get reliable information, advice, crisis assistance, and emotional support from a trained staff. (Source: https://tinyurl.com/4jjsmf4z)

▸Local Resources: Find local offices that offer free or low-cost support groups and educational programs, often in multiple languages. Call a hotline to find resources. (Source: https://tinyurl.com/4jjsmf4z)

▸Support Programs: Connect with others through local or online support groups like AlzConnected® for encouragement and shared experiences.

▸Educational Programs: Learn about Alzheimer’s through a variety of educational programs offered in the community or online, covering topics such as understanding Alzheimer’s, managing money, and more.

▸Early Engagement: The Alzheimer’s Association Early Social Engagement Program offers a comfortable way to get out, get active, and connect with others in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

▸Online Tools: Take advantage of free tools like ALZConnected® for community support, ALZNavigator™ for mentoring, TrialMatch® for clinical research, the Community Resource Finder, and the Live Well tool for navigating challenges. (Source: https://tinyurl.com/4jjsmf4z)

▸ Safety: Be prepared for safety issues such as driving and medication management; consider joining a wandering response service to maintain independence longer.

For more details or assistance, please contact the Alzheimer's Association Helpline.

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