Back to photostream

In The Wake Of Alzheimer's

I also thought of the title "A Map Of Anguish"

 

This photograph was the winner of the best overall image in the 2010 "Battle of the Clubs" competition sponsored by Canon.

 

 

10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:

 

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

 

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a cheque book.

 

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favourite game.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

 

Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

 

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

 

Problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

 

What's a typical age-related change?Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

 

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

 

 

What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

 

Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

 

Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

 

Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

 

What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

 

Alzheimer's is grossly under funded in the UK:

•Over 820,000 people in the UK live with Alzheimer's and other dementia's.

•Dementia costs the UK economy £23 billion per year: more than cancer and heart disease combined.

•Dementia research is severely underfunded, receiving 12 times less support than cancer research.

 

Today was a tough day as my parents house was cleared. A few days ago whilst going through the house for the last time I found some photographs, some of which I had never seen before of my Mother when she was in her twenties. She used to do a lot of acting on the stage often as one of the leads or the glamorous character.

 

In one of the last conversations I had with my Father before he died in April he said to me "When I first met June she was the most beautiful and intelligent woman I had ever met". My Father first met my Mother at a party held by a mutual friend. When he first saw her, even before he had spoken to her he told his friend who was with him at the party "I am going to marry that woman".

 

Alzheimer's series of images www.flickr.com/photos/mark-edwards/sets/72157624460945827/

 

 

32,523 views
151 faves
78 comments
Uploaded on October 19, 2010
Taken on October 11, 2010