Imagine you're thirsty, and you're holding a bottle of water. You know it’s a bottle of water, but you have no idea what its duty is.
This is a symptom of Alzheimer’s. A progressive neurological disorder that affects a person’s memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for around 60-80 per cent of all cases.
North Shore Community Support Services, Inc., likes to promote and encourage people to live to their fullest potential and strives to make a difference in their clients' mental health. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation.
Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s can be challenging, as they are often subtle and can be mistaken for normal age-related memory problems. However, early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in managing the disease and improving the quality of life for both the individual and their caregivers.
“We want to catch it before it starts to get worse,” said Carol Norrish, a Registered Nurse who specializes in seniors’ mental health outreach, for the North Shore Community Support Services, Inc., located in Elliot Lake.
She told us about Chloe the battery-operated feline that looks and feels like a real cat.
“We use Chloe and her counterpart Tom in our therapy sessions, it provides a calming effect,” reveals Norrish.
These interactive companions look, feel, and respond like a real cat through built-in sensors that react to motion and touch.
Several key warning signs may indicate the presence of Alzheimer's disease. These include memory loss that disrupts daily life.
“One of the most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, and asking for the same information repeatedly,” Norrish said.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty following a familiar recipe, keeping track of bills, or completing familiar tasks at work. People with the disease may struggle to complete routine tasks that they have done for years, such as driving to a familiar location.
“Confusion with time or place often occurs,” says the RN. “They may lose track of dates, seasons, passage of time, or have trouble understanding where they are or how they got there.”
The program at North Shore is preventative care, “We want to help people maintain their independence for as long as possible,” said Norrish. She explained that certain steps and assessments must be done to properly evaluate an individual’s condition. “Cognitive assessments are done, and we can make referrals to Geriatricians, if necessary.”
The Alzheimer Society and other specialized memory clinics and healthcare providers across Canada can help with the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease.
The program at North Shore offers comprehensive assessments, treatment options, and ongoing support for individuals and families affected by the disease. Utilizing these services has many benefits that improve the quality of life for those trying to cope with the illness.
“Our objectives are to prevent hospitalization, alleviate isolation and loneliness, and to support the individual in their home,” tells the RN. One interesting tool used by the North Shore program is the use of mechanical cats.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is not the end of the road. With early intervention, appropriate treatment, and support from healthcare professionals and community organizations, individuals with Alzheimer’s can continue to live fulfilling and meaningful lives. “The sooner the disease is diagnosed and managed, the better the outcomes will be for everyone involved,” says Norrish.