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Community Corner

DEMENTIA SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Keep Your Aging Loved Ones Healthy and Safe

    Whether you live nearby and see your loved one often, or you live far away and will be
spending a limited amount of time with your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandparents or others this
holiday season, it’s important to be aware of changes in their health, cognitive capabilities and
behavior.
     “The holiday season is the perfect time to interact with your loved one and observe them
to see if you notice any significant changes,” says Bob Tucker, a qualified dementia care provider
(QDCP) and co-owner of the Northbrook-based Senior Helpers office serving north and
northwest Chicagoland. “If you are concerned about the individual’s memory, consider having
the person get a free memory screening test at our office. There is no age requirement for taking
this screening. Unfortunately, even people in their 30s and 40s  have been diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s.”
   
         Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia, are serious health
issues.                  
☐ More than 5.2 million people have Alzheimer’s Disease in the U.S.                 
     ☐ Alzheimer’s Disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and growing
significantly.
      The local Senior Helpers office was selected to be the Alzheimer’s Foundation affiliate office
for the New York-based organization. After extensive training and testing Senior Helpers can 
offer Alzheimer’s and dementia education, programs and information to other professionals
involved in senior care, and families struggling with these diseases across Chicagoland.
        
          Early dementia/Alzheimer’s signs to watch for in a loved one include:
        ☐ Difficulty learning new things.
        ☐ Becoming more territorial, less aware of boundaries.
        ☐ Having difficulty with change.
        ☐ Telling the same stories and asking the same questions.
        ☐ Getting lost.
        ☐ Forgetfulness.
        ☐ Confusion.
        ☐ Personality changes.


             ☐ Making poor decisions.

           Other potentially more serious signs to watch for include:
         ☐ Getting lost in past life, past places and past roles.
         ☐ Changes in speech.
         ☐ Getting overly emotional quickly.
         ☐ Losing important things and believing someone stole them.
         ☐ Needing help....but, not knowing or admitting it.
         ☐ Wandering.


    “If the problem is dementia, these issues will not usually reverse themselves,” says Abbie
Tucker, senior advocate and client services director, certified senior advisor (CSA), a qualified
dementia care provider (QDCP) and co-owner of the Northbrook-based Senior Helpers office.
“In time, your loved one may become more impatient and aggressive, lose their fine and large
body motor skills, be difficult to get along with and put themselves into dangerous situations.”
     If you would like more information on Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, the
Senior Helpers office has established a center for the community. The resource center is named
after Bob Tucker’s father who had Alzheimer’s Disease. Here you will find books,  DVDs
featuring Teepa Snow-a well-known national Alzheimer’s expert, other educational materials,
articles and magazines about dementia and information on how to help people with these
diseases.
     To make an appointment for a free initial meeting or memory screening, please call 847-564-
7500 or email Bob Tucker at  rtucker@seniorhelpers.com . More information about dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease can also be found on the Senior Helpers website at www.seniorhelpers.com


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