By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd,
Of all the great information about Alzheimer’s and dementia that Heather Mulder shared Tuesday night in her presentation at Bridle Brook of Mahomet, here is the point that really hit home.
If you see signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, take the time to broach the subject rather than sit and stare at the elephant in the room.
Heather is Manager of Consumer Education and Outreach for the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). She conducted a presentation on “Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters.” Bridle Brook is an assisted living and memory care community that BMA manages in Mahomet, Illinois.
To learn the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s and other helpful information, click here.
There are many reasons why earlier is better when it comes to memory care issues, Heather noted.
In the past, the only way to tell if a person had Alzheimer’s disease was through an autopsy. Today, doctors can diagnose through exclusion. The diagnostic steps include patient history; talking with close family members and/or friends; physical, mental and neurological exams; and brain scans to rule out other reasons for memory problems.
Be sure your doctor is comfortable in making a diagnosis; if not, you can contact the Alzheimer’s Association.
If there is a diagnosis of dementia, there are many benefits to having gotten an early diagnosis.
You will have more time to plan for the future and have conversations about how you want to be treated; to seek legal advice and complete legal documents; and to make plans for your finances and property.
You will have the opportunity to get the maximum benefit from available treatments.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
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