Have you noticed slight behavior changes in a friend, relative, spouse, or yourself?
An unexpected new behavior that’s not connected to memory.
MOM can’t decide between green or purple grapes at the grocery store.
While shopping, she’s still concerned whether she made the right choice.
Or your friend struggles to keep up with a conversation.
Dad misspells small words in his emails.
Aunt Sally is usually calm, yet recently, small things make her angry.
It’s time to be aware.
How often is the behavior noticed? Does it get worse?
Make notes on a paper or phone calendar.
After several months, has a pattern developed?
This is a gift of time. Use it wisely.
Two things:
- Later, at a doctor’s appointment, the notes are a real-time record of noticeable changes. Instead of saying, ‘Well, we’ve noticed.’
- The groundwork for new relationships and trust has been laid.
For more thoughts on how to use this gift of time, check out Chapter 3 in the book Alzheimer’s, Be Aware and Prepared, pages 49-64.
Also, find other topics at Let’s Talk Alzheimer’s with Elaine Scholly.